A U.S. airstrike targeting Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Mansour on Saturday “likely” killed him and a second combatant, a US official tells Fox News.
The strike, authorized by President Obama, took place at about 6 a.m. ET in a remote area along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, near the town of Ahmad Wal, the official said.
Mansour was traveling in a vehicle when the strike, carried out by multiple unmaed aircraft operated by U.S. Special Operations Forces, occurred.
There was no collateral damage in the aftermath of the strike.
The Taliban and Al Qaeda have "worked closely" at times, a US general tells Fox News,
The Taliban have increased their ranks by 20 percent since 2009, and have taken over Helmand Province. A bumper poppy crop and opium harvest there last month ensured the Taliban have renewed a major revenue source according to officials.
Fox News' Lucas Tomlinson contributed to this report.