The United States on Sunday eliminated al-Qaida fugitive and and Osama bin Laden successor Ayman al-Zawahiri in a drone strike in Kabul, the first since its withdrawal from the region, triggering recrimination and infighting among Taliban and its patron Pakistan about who sold him out.

US officials said the Zawahiri was hit by two Hellfire missiles as he stepped the Zawahiri was hit by two Hellfire missiles as he stepped onto the balcony of a Taliban-controlled safe house in Kabul where he had been living with members of his family after moving there from Pakistan earlier this year.

In a televised address, US President Joe Biden said "justice has been delivered" while repeating the American mantra “that no matter how long it takes, no matter where you hide, if you are a threat to our people, the United States will find you and take you out.”    

(With inputs from agencies)