Afghan Taliban Confirms Death of Mansoor, Names New Leader

Islamabad (PNA/Kyodo) — The Afghan Taliban on Wednesday confirmed the death of its leader, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor, following a U.S. drone strike in Pakistan last week, and named its next head.

While officials in Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States believed that one of two men killed in a car in Pakistan near the border with Afghanistan was that of Mansoor, confirmation from the group itself was still pending.

The announcement from the Afghan Taliban, which was sent to media outlets, confirmed Mansoor’s death, while also naming Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada as the group’s new leader. (PNA/Kyodo) LAM/RSM