Afghan Taliban chief 'seriously wounded'

Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour was seriously injured in a firefight following a heated argument at a gathering of militant commanders, officials said yesterday, exposing deepening divisions within the fractious militant movement.

Four Taliban gunmen were killed in the gunfight after an argument on the outskirts of Quetta, a source said.

Another report said Mullah Mansour died but this is unconfirmed. A Taliban spokesman denied the gunfight happened.

Mansour's appointment prompted splits in the Taliban after its founder Mullah Omar's death emerged in July. A number of senior Taliban leaders refused to pledge allegiance to him and a faction opposed to him was set up last month under Mullah Rasool.

The Taliban source said the firing seemed to be spontaneous rather than planned. What prompted the shooting in Quetta is unclear.