Burnt out car of Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour who was killed in US attack
He was killed after the US targeted him in a drone strike
WRECKAGE of a car carrying the Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour has been pictured for the first time since he was confirmed dead in a targeted drone strike.
The operation, which was authorised by President Barack Obama, saw the Afghan ringleader - and his driver perish in the car as it travelled through a remote area of Pakistan near the Afghan border.
The pictures show the men's bodies being held at a hospital in Quetta, Pakistan.
Mansour was described as a "continuing, imminent threat to US personnel" by US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Before his death was confirmed, a spokesman for Afghan President Ashraf Ghani said the drone strike "appeared to be successful".
He added: "Our hope in the wake of the strike is for the Afghan-led peace process to bring lasting peace and stability."
The US targeted drone strike took place near Ahmad Wal in Balochistan, south-west Pakistan at around 3pm on Saturday.
His death was confirmed by Afghanistan's spy agency this morning.
It is likely to be a huge blow for the Taliban as it triggers another leadership struggle.
Mansour became Taliban leader in July 2015 after replacing Taliban founder and spiritual head Mullah Mohammad Omar.
Since international troops withdrew from an active fighting role in 2014 the Taliban have made gains.
Mansour has been described as a "major obstacle" to peace and stability in the region.
Peter Cook, the Pentagon's Press Secretary yesterday said: "Since the death of Mullah Omar and Mansur's assumption of leadership, the Taliban have conducted many attacks that have resulted in the death of tens of thousands of Afghan civilians and Afghan security forces as well as numerous US and Coalition personnel."
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