The Taliban revealed the location of Mullah Omar’s grave for the first time 9 years after his death. The devastation of his death was kept secret for so long. Mullah Omar was the founder of Taliban. Members of the Taliban gathered near Omar’s grave on Sunday to express their condolences. That photo has been released.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told news agency AFP on Sunday that Taliban leaders gathered at his grave near Omarjo in Suri district of Zabul province to express their condolences. In 2001, the Taliban were defeated by the US military. After that it was heard that Omar was physically ill. Later he died in 2013. 2 years later in 2015, the Taliban acknowledged his death. The Taliban retook Afghanistan from US forces in August last year. After nearly 20 years, the Taliban wrested Afghanistan from the US troops. After that they revealed the location of Omar’s grave.
On why his grave was kept secret for so long, Mujahid said, ‘Because there were many enemies around and the country was occupied by the US Army. So it was kept secret so as not to damage Omar’s grave. Only his close family members were aware of the place.’
The picture released showed Taliban leaders huddled around a simple white brick grave. The grave is surrounded by a green painted iron fence. Mujahid said, ‘Now it has been decided that people can see his tomb.’ Note that Omar died at the age of 55. He founded the Taliban in 1993.