Senior sources within the Taliban on Sunday cast doubt on the authenticity of an audio message purporting to prove Mullah Akhtar Mansour was alive as Afghan officials said they were working to verify the clip, local Khaama press agency reported.

Taliban released the 16-minute file late Saturday following reports citing multiple intelligence and militant sources claiming the Taliban chief was killed in a firefight on Tuesday inside Pakistan.

Taliban leaders believed that the audio contained a voice similar to Mansoor in a bid to buy more time to elect a new leader for the group.

The audio message by Mullah Mansoor was released late on Saturday, five days after reports circulated regarding his death.

Sources: MENA