Afghanistan Times
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AT-KABUL: The security forces on Monday attacked a gathering of the Taliban militants mourning the death of their former leader Mullah Mohammad Omar whose death was confirmed last week.
The gathering was organized on Monday in the outskirts of Ghazni city, said Ghazni deputy governor, Mohammad Ali Ahmadi, adding that the security forces prevented the Taliban to organize a funeral ceremony for Mullah Omar.
He said that five Taliban militants were killed and three others wounded during the gun battle in Qarabaghi area of Ghazni city.
He said the Taliban fighters were looking to organize a large gathering where around 3,000 people were expected to attend the funeral ceremony for Mullah Omar.
This comes after a local security official said Monday that the Taliban militants are forcing local residents to pay money for organizing the funeral ceremony for Mullah Omar and as well as prepare food for the mourners.
The Taliban confirmed Mullah Omar’s death by issuing a statement last week calling for three days of prayers.
Mullah Omar’s death was first confirmed by a splinter group of the Taliban – Afghanistan Islamic Movement Fidai Mahaz, which claimed that he was assassinated by Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor and Gul Agha.
The group’s spokesman, Qari Hamza, said Mullah Omar was killed two years back in July.
