Afghan government chief executive and the country's main intelligence agency have confirmed the death of Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour. Washington said a US drone strike on Saturday hit a vehicle carrying Mansour in Pakistan's southwestern province bordering Afghanistan.

US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Sunday that Mansour was targeted because he posed an imminent threat to US troops, Afghan civilians, and peace talks. Kerry said the move sends a clear message over the United States' commitment to Afghanistan. A senior Taliban commander earlier confirmed Mansour's death, but no further details were given.