US defence officials believe ISIL’s leader in Afghanistan and Pakistan has been killed in an American drone strike.<br /><br /> Hafiz Saeed Khan is said to have died on July 26 along with his senior commanders and fighters in Nangharhar province.<br /><br /> His death, announced by Omar Zakhilwal, the Afghan ambassador to Pakistan, was later confirmed by an US defence official although no formal announcement has been made.<br /><br /> It would strike a blow to ISIL’s efforts to expand its control in the region where the group is challenging fellow insurgents, the Taliban. <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> Head of Islamic State in Afghanistan killed in U.S. drone strike https://t.co/1M6P3zNksL— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) 12 août 2016<br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /> Khan’s death would also mark the second US killing of a prominent militant in the region within months. In May, a US drone killed Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour in a strike in Pakistan.<br /><br /> Khan has been reported dead before. Last year, Afghan intelligence agents claimed he had been killed, but the report was never confirmed.<br />
