Taliban leader Killed in Pakistan - Report

A man reads a copy of English-language Pakistani newspaper `Pakistan Today` carrying front-page news of the death of Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden, in Karachi, Pakistan, on 03 May 2011. Photo by EPA/BGNE

Afghani-native Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar has been killed in Pakistan, the Bulgarian news agency Focus informs Monday, citing the Chinese Xinhua.

According to Xinhua, Afghanistan's TOLO television reported that Mullah Omar was killed on his way from Quetta to North Waziristan, but no further details were available such as who and how did the murder.

A security official had also confirmed the killing.

The Taliban, however, deny the killing saying Omar is alive and well.

The Taliban movement operates in parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan and Omar is known as its long-time spiritual leader.

The news about his death comes as Pakistani security personnel continue to fight militant Taliban at the Pakistan Air Force's Faisal airbase which also houses PNS Mehran, the naval air station.

Suspected militants stormed the airbase in Karachi late Sunday, killing at least 11 soldiers, officials say.

The attackers are now holding hostages, including Chinese military personnel, at the Mehran naval aviation base.

Eight hours after the incident began, blasts and gunfire were heard as security forces brought in more troops and tackled the militants.

The Pakistani Taliban says it is responsible for carrying out the attack.

"It was the revenge of martyrdom of Osama Bin Laden. It was the proof that we are still united and powerful," Ehsanullah Ehsan told Reuters news agency, cited by BBC.

He said the attackers had enough food and ammunition to "fight and survive for three days".