ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif says the former head of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Mohammad Omar, did not die in Pakistan as Kabul announced last week.

Asif was quoted by state media as saying Friday that “we totally deny that Mullah Omar died in Quetta or Karachi.”

Instead, Asif insists Mullah Omar died in Afghanistan and was buried there.

Kabul had announced that the Taliban leader died two years ago at a Karachi hospital. The Taliban leadership later confirmed his death without providing such details.

The Taliban have been in turmoil following confirmation of the death of their leader.

Asif’s remarks appear to be part of Pakistan’s efforts to dispel the impression Mullah Omar died after being treated in Pakistan.

Splits have emerged at the top of the Taliban following the appointment of Mullah Akhtar Mansour as replacement for Mullah Omar.

Some top leaders, including Omar’s son and brother, have refused to pledge allegiance to Mansour, saying the process to select him was rushed and even biased.

Tayeb Agha, the head of the Qatar political office set up in 2013 to facilitate talks with Kabul, resigned on Monday in protest at Mansour’s appointment and on Thursday two more members followed suit.