This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-36351990
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansour 'probably killed' in US air strike | |
| (about 4 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. |
| A drone targeted his vehicle in a remote area of Pakistan near the Afghan border, the officials said, adding that results were still being assessed. | |
| US Secretary of State John Kerry said Mansour has posed "a continuing, imminent threat to US personnel". | |
| 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 in Balochistan, south-west Pakistan, 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. | Both Pakistan and Afghanistan were informed about the strike shortly after it took place, the White House said. |
| Mr Kerry, on a visit to Myanmar, said: "This action sends a clear message to the world that we will continue to stand with our Afghan partners as they work to build a more stable, united, secure and prosperous Afghanistan. | |
| "Peace is what we want. Mansour was a threat to that effort." | |
| A spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said the drone strike "appeared to be successful", adding: "Our hope in the wake of the strike is for the Afghan-led peace process to bring lasting peace and stability." | |
| Afghan Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said Mansour was "more than likely" dead, adding that he was "the main figure preventing the Taliban joining the peace process". | |
| Analysis: Inayatulhaq Yasini, BBC Pashto online | |
| The death of Mullah Akhtar Mansour, if confirmed, would be a big blow for the Taliban. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | A vacuum created by his death would once again trigger a leadership struggle. |
| There have been conflicting reports from the Taliban. | |
| Senior commander Mullah Abdul Rauf told Associated Press that Mansour had been killed, but that it was late on Friday. | |
| Other reports denied his death. One unnamed Taliban commander told Reuters: "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." | |
| 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. |
| Who is Mullah Mansour? | Who is Mullah Mansour? |
| Profile: Mullah Akhtar Mansour | Profile: Mullah Akhtar Mansour |
| 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. |