Report has it that Taliban supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada has made his first ever public appearance, officials.
This took place on Sunday after he addressed supporters in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.
Akhundzada has been the spiritual chief of the Islamist movement since 2016 but has remained a reclusive figure, even after his group seized power in Afghanistan in August.
His low profile has fed speculation about his role in the new Taliban government — and even rumours of his death.
However, Taliban officials said that on Saturday, he visited the Darul Uloom Hakimah madrassa to speak to his brave soldiers and disciples amidst tight security.
Though no photographs or video have emerged, a ten-minute audio recording was shared by Taliban social media accounts.
The speech did not border on politics, but sought God’s blessing for the Taliban leadership.
He was said to have prayed for the Taliban martyrs, wounded fighters and the success of the Islamic Emirate’s officials in this big test.
Akhundzada was appointed leader of the Taliban in a swift transition of power after a 2016 US drone strike killed his predecessor, Mullah Akhtar Mansour.
