In pics: Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri killed in CIA drone strike in Afghanistan

Zawahiri had been killed on the balcony of a house in Kabul in a drone strike. (Picture credit: AFP)

Smoke rises from a house following a US drone strike in the Sherpur area of Kabul. (Picture credit: AFP)

A general view of Kabul, following the killing of Al Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a US strike. (Picture credit: Reuters)

Builiding (L) in which Al-Qaida chief Ayman al-Zawahiri was probably located at the time of the strike. (Picture credit: AFP)

A general view shows a Mosque and a school area in the neighbour that Ayman al-Zawahiri used to live. ( Picture credit: Reuters)

Attia Salama, a former neighbour of Al Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. (Picture credit: Reuters)

Taliban fighters drive a car on a street following the killing of Al Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. (Picture credit: Reuters)

A Taliban fighter stands guard near the site where al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed. (Picture credit: Reuters)

US President Joe Biden addresses the nation on the killing of al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. (Picture credit: AFP)

Both Bin Laden and Zawahiri had eluded capture when US-led forces toppled Taliban govt in late 2001.

One of the officials, said a drone strike was carried out by the CIA in the Afghan capital Kabul. (Picture credit: Reuters)

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that a strike took place and strongly condemned it. (Picture credit: Reuters)

Until the US announcement, Zawahiri had been rumored variously to be in Pakistan's tribal area or inside Afghanistan. (Picture credit: Reuters)

One Taliban source, said there had been reports of at least one drone flying over Kabul that morning. (Picture credit: AFP)

Taliban spokesman confirmed that a strike took place and strongly condemned it. (Picture credit: AFP)

Zawahiri is believed to have plotted the attack on the USS Cole naval vessel in Yemen. (Picture credit: AFP)