Over the past few days, Taliban militants have captured Zaranj, the provincial capital of Nimroz in the west, and the city of Shibarghan, the capital of Javazan province, in the east.
According to officials, the Taliban tightened their hold in two major cities of Sari Pul and Kunduz on Sunday amid fierce fighting with Afghan security forces.
Taliban militants have captured large parts of the city of Sari Pul, the capital of northern Sari Pul province, an official told Xinhua news agency.
This is the second provincial capital in the past three days after Shiberghan, the capital of Nimroj province, fell to the Taliban.
“A large part of the entire city of Pul has been taken over by Taliban militants this morning and fighting continues between government forces and Taliban fighters,” the official said.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed on Twitter that “the Mujahideen today captured all government departments in the city of Sari Pul”.
Over the past few days, Taliban militants have captured Zaranj, the provincial capital of Nimroz in the west, and the city of Shibarghan, the capital of Javazan province, in the east.
Meanwhile, in Kunduz, a strategically important city on the border with Tajikistan, “the Taliban have captured Police Districts (PD) 1, PD 3 and PD 4 and to control the road leading to Kunduz airport.” Trying to clear the Balahisar area”, another official told Xinhua news agency.
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Kunduz police chief Jabardasth Safi also confirmed the fight but said security forces would push the rebels out.
However, Ehsanullah Faizi, head of Kunduz hospital, told Xinhua that, “a dozen bodies and 60 injured civilians have been taken to the hospital” since Saturday.
Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Mujahid claimed that militants have captured the city of Kunduz, including the provincial governor’s office.
But this claim was rejected by the officials as well as the local people as baseless.
According to locals, the governor’s office, police headquarters and other government entities are under the control of government forces.
Fighter planes, as well as military helicopters, are hovering over the city.
According to local residents, the Taliban have captured one battle tank and burned three more in the city.
Intense fighting was also going on in Takhar’s capital Talukan city and neighboring Badakhshan provincial capital Faizabad.
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