ISLAMABAD, Aug 27: Taliban spiritual leader Mulla Mohammad Omar may be hiding with 800 Taliban fighters in mountains pounded by US and Afghan forces in a fresh offensive this week, an Afghan military commander was reported saying on Wednesday.

General Garni, military commander of the restive southeast border province Zabul, made the claim in an interview with the private Afghan Islamic Press (AIP).

“Mulla Omar may be hiding in the mountains of Daichopan in Zabul, along with around 800 Taliban,” AIP quoted Gen Garni as saying.

Since Monday Allied US and Afghan forces have been raiding bases in Zabul’s Daichopan district, some 300 kilometres southwest of Kabul where they believe hundreds of resurgent Taliban have been hiding.—AFP