First audio message of new Taliban chief surfaces

KABUL: Taliban’s new chief Mullah Akhtar Mansoor’s first audio message surfaced on Saturday. In the audio recording, Mansoor calls for unity among the Taliban amid rumours of a rift in their ranks.

In the audio recording, Mansoor identifies Sheikh Rehmatullah and Siraj Haqqani as his deputies and says he wishes to run the Taliban just as his predecessor had done. In his message he refers to Mullah Omar’s policies, as a guiding beacon.

In his audio message Mansoor calls for unity stating that division among the ranks will only please the Taliban’s enemies.