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| Afghan Taliban leader Mansour 'probably killed' in US air strike | Afghan Taliban leader Mansour 'probably killed' in US air strike |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour has probably been killed in a US air strike, US officials say. | Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour has probably been killed in a US air strike, US officials say. |
| He and another male combatant were targeted as they rode in a vehicle in a remote area of Pakistan close to the Afghan border, the officials said. | He and another male combatant were targeted as they rode in a vehicle in a remote area of Pakistan close to the Afghan border, the officials said. |
| The Pentagon has confirmed it targeted Mansour in strikes but said they were still assessing the results. | The Pentagon has confirmed it targeted Mansour in strikes but said they were still assessing the results. |
| Mansour assumed the leadership in July 2015, replacing Taliban founder and spiritual head Mullah Mohammad Omar. | Mansour assumed the leadership in July 2015, replacing Taliban founder and spiritual head Mullah Mohammad Omar. |
| The operation took place near the town of Ahmad Wal at around 15:00 (10:00 GMT) on Saturday and was authorised by President Barack Obama. | The operation took place near the town of Ahmad Wal at around 15:00 (10:00 GMT) on Saturday and was authorised by President Barack Obama. |
| Both Pakistan and Afghanistan were informed about the strike shortly after it took place, the White House said. | |
| "We are still assessing the results of the strike and will provide more information as it becomes available," said Pentagon spokesperson Peter Cook. | "We are still assessing the results of the strike and will provide more information as it becomes available," said Pentagon spokesperson Peter Cook. |
| An unnamed Taliban commander told the Reuters news agency: "We heard about these baseless reports but this not first time. Just wanted to share with you my own information that Mullah Mansour has not been killed." | An unnamed Taliban commander told the Reuters news agency: "We heard about these baseless reports but this not first time. Just wanted to share with you my own information that Mullah Mansour has not been killed." |
| Analysis - Inayatulhaq Yasini, Editor BBC Pashto Online | |
| The death of Mullah Akhtar Mansour, if confirmed, would be a big blow for the Taliban. | |
| He was gradually tightening his grip on the movement by bringing into his fold other leading Taliban members, including a son and a brother of his predecessor Mullah Mohammed Omar, and by launching large scale attacks on Afghan security forces. | |
| Under his leadership, the Taliban managed to capture an important city last year for the first time in 15 years. | |
| Mansour also managed to silence the splinter Taliban group under Mullah Muhammad Rasool, which challenged his leadership, and is credited by his followers for containing so-called Islamic State in Taliban areas. | |
| A vacuum created by his death would once again trigger a leadership struggle. | |
| False rumours have often surrounded Taliban leaders. | False rumours have often surrounded Taliban leaders. |
| Omar died in 2013 but this was only confirmed by the Taliban two years later, while Mansour was reported to have been killed in a gun battle last year, something dismissed by the Afghan government. | Omar died in 2013 but this was only confirmed by the Taliban two years later, while Mansour was reported to have been killed in a gun battle last year, something dismissed by the Afghan government. |
| Mansour's appointment as Taliban chief was disputed, with a rival group selecting their own leader. | Mansour's appointment as Taliban chief was disputed, with a rival group selecting their own leader. |
| The Pentagon's statement said Mansour was actively involved with planning attacks "presenting a threat to Afghan civilians and security forces, our personnel, and Coalition partners". | The Pentagon's statement said Mansour was actively involved with planning attacks "presenting a threat to Afghan civilians and security forces, our personnel, and Coalition partners". |
| The Taliban have made gains since international troops withdrew from an active fighting role in 2014. | The Taliban have made gains since international troops withdrew from an active fighting role in 2014. |
| Nato forces are increasingly being deployed in battle zones to support Afghan forces fighting the Taliban. | Nato forces are increasingly being deployed in battle zones to support Afghan forces fighting the Taliban. |
| Who is Mullah Mansour? | Who is Mullah Mansour? |
| Profile: Mullah Akhtar Mansour | Profile: Mullah Akhtar Mansour |