United States President Barack Obama on Monday confirmed that Taliban chief Mullah Akhtar Mansour was killed in a US strike, hailing his death as an “important milestone” in efforts to bring peace to Afghanistan.
“We have removed the leader of an organisation that has continued to plot against and unleash attacks on American and coalition forces, to wage war against the Afghan people, and align itself with extremist groups like Al Qa’ida,” the US President said in a statement, referring to Saturday’s strike which took place near Pak-Afghan border.
Read more: US kills Afghan Taliban chief on Pakistani soil
The apparent elimination of Mansour, who had consolidated power following a bitter Taliban leadership struggle over the past year, could also spark new succession battles within the fractious movement.
The deaths of Taliban leaders have often been falsely reported. Mansour himself was rumoured to have been killed last December.
Two Pakistani intelligence officials told media the drones struck a Toyota Corolla near the city of Quetta, killing two people whose bodies were burned beyond recognition.
Mansour was formally appointed the head of the Taliban in July last year following the revelation that the group’s founder Mullah Omar had been dead for two years.
The group saw a resurgence under the firebrand supremo with striking military victories, helping to cement his authority by burnishing his credentials as a commander.
The Taliban briefly captured the strategic northern city of Kunduz last September in their most spectacular victory in 14 years. The southern opium-rich province of Helmand is also almost entirely under insurgent control.
Read more: Pakistan seeks ‘clarification’ of US strike on Afghan Taliban Chief Mullah Mansour
I have a word or two for this American slave who violated sovereignty of our country. I also do not wish to violate the moderation policy of this paper hence won’t mention those words or two.
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