Taliban issue audio to prove 'leader' is alive

The Afghan Taliban released an audio message Saturday it said was from leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, vehemently rejecting reports of his death in a firefight with his own commanders as "enemy propaganda".

The 16-minute file said those "rumours" had been deliberately planted to weaken the Taliban, which has seen a new resurgence under the firebrand supremo despite its internal divisions.

"I have recorded this message to let everyone know that I am alive," the man purported to be Mansour says in a relaxed drawl.

Multiple reports citing intelligence and insurgent sources had stated that Mansour was wounded or killed on Tuesday in a firefight at an insurgent gathering in Kuchlak.

The clip, emailed to media by a Taliban spokesman, comes after days of fevered speculation about the fate of Mansour, who was elected leader just four months ago in a bitter power succession.

Several senior sources within the Taliban yesterday cast doubt on the authenticity of the audio message.

Mawlawi Hanifi, a commander based in southern Helmand province, told AFP: "I listened to the clip and it looks fake. Another senior Taliban source said that the group is buying time to select a new leader and bring their organisation out of "this sudden shock".