Afghan Government Reveals Grave of Taliban Founder 'One-Eyed Omar'

Founded in 1993, Taliban's Whereabouts Unknown After 2001 US Afghanistan Invasion
Taliban's Vehicle Used by Omar to Be Exhibited at Kabul National Museum

On the 6th (local time), the grave of Mullah Muhammad Omar, the founder of the Taliban, revealed by the Afghan government. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Bang Je-il] The Afghan government has revealed the tomb of Mullah Muhammad Omar, the founder of the Taliban. Omar had not been seen since the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, leading to persistent rumors of his death. In 2015, the Taliban announced that he died in 2013 at a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, but did not disclose the location of his burial, sparking widespread speculation about his whereabouts.

On the 6th (local time), Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban spokesperson, stated in an interview with AFP that a memorial ceremony was held that morning at Omar's tomb near Omarzo in the Suri district of Zabul province, attended by senior Taliban leaders. The Taliban regained power last August after the U.S. military, which had ruled Afghanistan for 20 years, withdrew. Mujahid explained, "Because many enemies lurked around and the territory was occupied, the location of the tomb was kept secret to prevent its desecration," adding, "Only close family members knew the location."

On the same day, the Afghan government released photos showing Taliban leaders surrounding Omar's tomb. The tomb, made of white bricks, is covered with gravel, and a green metal fence is installed around its perimeter.

Omar, who was around 55 years old at the time of his death, founded the Taliban in 1993, ending the Afghan civil war, and ruled Afghanistan until he was ousted by U.S. forces following the September 11 attacks in 2001. During his rule, he enforced extremely strict Islamic law, including compelling women to wear the burqa, which completely covers the face, when going outside.

Omar, who was around 55 years old at the time of his death, founded the Taliban in 1993 and ended the Afghan civil war. His trademark was his blind right eye. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

His blind right eye was his trademark. It is known that he lost his right eye while fighting against the Soviet troops invading Afghanistan in the mid-1980s as part of the Mujahideen (armed guerrilla organization).

The unveiling of the tomb can be seen as part of the Taliban's efforts to glorify Omar. In July, the Taliban exhumed and publicly displayed a white Toyota car buried in a village in Zabul province, claiming it was the vehicle Omar used to evade U.S. surveillance. The Taliban announced plans to exhibit this vehicle at the National Museum in Kabul to honor Omar.

Meanwhile, reports have emerged that the tomb of Ahmad Shah Massoud, a resistance leader who fought against the recent U.S. invasion, was desecrated; however, the Taliban government denied these claims. Mujahid stated, "His tomb in the Panjshir Valley is fully preserved, and if any desecration is confirmed, those responsible will be punished."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.