Afghanistan's ruling Taliban have reportedly killed the mastermind of a 2021 suicide bomb attack that claimed over 100 lives, including 13 US service members.

The attack occurred near Kabul airport as US forces were pulling out.

The Associated Press says the plotter was an Islamic State militant killed in battle in the south of the country early this month. US officials say the Taliban have been fighting the Islamic State's local affiliate. The US was reportedly not involved in the operation.

The Taliban have not issued any comment. But they have been stepping up their crackdown on the Islamic State group, which has carried out attacks across the country since the US withdrew.