The supreme leader of the Taliban,Haibatullah Akhundzada on Saturday made his first-ever public appearance, officials announced on Sunday.
He was reported to have addressed supporters in the southern Afghan city of Kandahar.
Mr Akhundzada has been the spiritual chief of the Islamist movement since 2016 but has remained a reclusive figure, even after his group seized power in Afghanistan in August, AFP reports.
On Saturday, he visited the Darul Uloom Hakimah madrasah to “speak to his brave soldiers and disciples”, according to Taliban officials.
There was tight security at the event and no photographs or video have emerged, but a 10-minute audio recording was shared by Taliban social media accounts.
Mr Akhundzada – referred to as “Amirul Momineen” or commander of the faithful – gave a religious message.
He was appointed leader of the Taliban in a swift transition of power after a 2016 United States drone strike killed his predecessor Mullah Akhtar Mansour.
