Kathmandu, 22 May : Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour has substantially been killed in a US air strike, US officials say.

He and another male combatant were targeted as they rode in a car in a remote area of Pakistan tighten to the Afghan border, the officials said.
The Pentagon has confirmed it targeted Mansour in strikes though they were still assessing a results.

The operation took place near the town of Ahmad Wal at around 15:00 (10:00 GMT) on Saturday and was authorised by President Barack Obama.
Mansour assumed the leadership in July 2015, replacing Taliban founder and spiritual head Mullah Mohammad Omar.

Both Pakistan and Afghanistan were sensetive about a strike, the White House said.

"We are still assessing the results of the strike and will provide more information as it becomes available," said Pentagon spokesperson Peter Cook.

An unnamed Taliban commander told the Reuters news agency, 'We heard about these baseless reports though this not first time. Just wanted to share with you my possess information that Mullah Mansour has not been killed."