Taliban releases audio message claiming leader still alive

December 06, 2015 13:21

The Afghan Taliban have released an audio message purportedly from leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, vehemently rejecting reports that he was killed in an internal firefight as "enemy propaganda".

"There is no truth to the rumours that I was injured or killed in Kuchlak (near Quetta in Pakistan)," said the more than 16-minute long audio file, emailed to media by a Taliban spokesman.

"This is enemy propaganda... I haven't seen Kuchlak in years." Afghan intelligence officials and multiple insurgent sources had claimed that Mansour had been seriously injured in a heavy exchange of fire at a gathering of militant commanders on Tuesday.

Speculation about Mansour's fate reached a fever pitch after unconfirmed media reports on Friday claimed that he had died.

Vehement denials by the Islamist group of any shootout fell on sceptical ears, especially after they kept the death of longtime chief Mullah Omar secret for two years.

Mansour was declared Taliban leader on July 31 after the insurgents confirmed the death of Omar, who led the Islamist movement for about two decades.

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

'Tell Modi We Waited'

The MNS chief started his speech with the name of Nehru, then paused. After a few tense seconds, he resumed: "After Nehru, here is the only politician who will be PM for the third term."

KL Rahul points to injuries for LSG's shortcomings

LSG skipper KL Rahul, whose team also finished out of play-off zone was disappointed.

No excuses: Hardik says MI deserved last place finish

'The whole season kind of went wrong. We can pass this game as another one (that went wrong)'

Scheffler charged with police officer assault before PGA Championship second round

In Pictures - LSG end season with dominant win; MI finish last

Scenes from the IPL match between the Mumbai Indians and the Lucknow Super Giants at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on Friday.