Reclusive Taliban supreme leader makes rare public appearance

Haibatullah Akhundzada said to have visited religious school in Kandahar, confounding rumours of his death

The Taliban's reclusive supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, made a rare public appearance in the southern city of Kandahar, Taliban officials announced on Sunday, contradicting widespread rumours of his death.

Akhundzada, known as the leader of the faithful or Amir ul Momineen, had not been seen in public even after the Taliban's August takeover of the country, giving rise to the speculation.