Senior Taliban member Mullah Mohammad Hassan Rah­mani died of cancer, a Taliban statement announced on Tuesday, Afghanistan's Tolo News reported.

The statement does not provide any further details or say where Rahmani died, although he has previously been identified as an office bearer of the Afghan Taliban.

The former Taliban leadership council member was among Taliban leaders who were a part of peace talks facilitated by Pakistan, which Afghan government officials also participated in.

He was believed to be a close aide to Taliban leader Mullah Omar who was reported dead last year.

Rahmani was one of the dissenting senior Taliban leaders following the notification of Mullah Akhtar Mansour to the status of ‘Emir-ul-Momineen’ and wanted to get Mullah Omar's son elected as the new leader.

However, later reports suggested a compromise had been reached and Rahmani pledged allegiance to Mansour.