Afghanistan intelligence agency confirms death of Taliban leader Mansour
(FOX)- Afghan authorities confirmed Sunday that the leader of the Taliban, Mullah Mohammed Akhtar Mansour, was killed in a U.S. drone strike.
The National Directorate of Security said in a statement that Mansour was killed at 3:45 p.m. local time Saturday. The Associated Press, citing a statement from the spy agency, said the attack took place in Baluchistan province, in southwestern Pakistan.
“The attack happened on the main road while he was in his vehicle,” the statement said.
Mullah Abdul Rauf, a senior Taliban commander, told the Associated Press earlier Sunday that Mansour was indeed killed in the drone strike.
A U.S. official told Fox News Saturday that Mansour was “likely” killed in the strike, while the White House is awaiting official confirmation of Mansour’s death before releasing their own statement about the strike.
President Obama authorized the strike in a remote area along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Mansour was traveling in a vehicle when the strike occurred. It was carried out my multiple unmanned aircraft operated by U.S. Special Operations Forces. Officials said there was no collateral damage in the aftermath of the strike. The official told Fox News Mansour was killed in a vehicle.
“Mansour killed American soldiers and thousands of Afghans. The world is a better place without him.”