Taliban's top leader Hibatullah Akhundzada killed in Pakistani airstrike: Think tank

Afghanistan’s supreme Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has reportedly been killed in a Pakistani military operation, according to an international intelligence Think tank.

The Europe branch of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) announced the claim in a post on social media platform X early Friday (February 27).

The post, published at 6:03am, stated that Akhundzada, along with several senior Taliban commanders, was killed in an airstrike by the Pakistan Air Force in Kabul.

Akhundzada assumed leadership of the Taliban following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces in 2021, guiding the administration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

Earlier, on February 21, Pakistan conducted brief air operations in Nangarhar and Paktia provinces targeting Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), reportedly killing over 80 people. In retaliation, Afghan forces attacked a Pakistani military post near the Durand Line in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday night.

Afghan media outlet TOLO News reported that under the command of Army Chief Fasihuddin Fitrat, the operation continued until midnight, resulting in several Pakistani soldiers killed or captured.

During the incident, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that Afghan forces used night vision and laser-guided weapons against Pakistani troops. In response, Pakistan launched a counter-operation named ‘Operation Gazab-lil-Haq’ at 3:45am, with Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stating that Pakistan had reached the limits of patience and must pursue conflict.

The Taliban government has not yet confirmed Akhundzada’s death.