3 more provincial capitals fall to Taliban today

KABUL (Pajhwok): The provincial capitals of Kunar, Logar and Paktika provinces captured by the Taliban while clashes are ongoing in Gardiz city, the capital of southeastern Paktika province on Saturday, officials said.

A credible source from Kunar province told Pajhwok Afghan News that the Taliban militants captured the governor’s house and police headquarters in Asadabad, the provincial capital today afternoon around 3pm.

The source said that Kunar governor, Iqbal Sayeed and some security officials of the province fled to Jalalabad, the capital of neighboring Nangarhar province.

Elsewhere, there also reports of collapse of Logar and Paktika provinces and heavy fights are ongoing in Gardiz city, capital of Paktia province.

A resident of Sharan, capital of Paktika province, who wished to go unnamed, told Pajhwok that the Taliban first broke the prison and then captured the governor’s house and other government departments.

Pajhwok reporter in the province said that the Taliban entered to Sharan city today morning and captured all areas of the city until 12pm.

Governor and other officials fled to Argon district where 904 Shahin Military Corps is stationed.

A government official in Logar province who wished to go unnamed, said that Asadabad, the provincial capital was also fallen to the Taliban late on Friday without a fight.

Another report from Paktia province say that the Taliban entered Gardiz city, the provincial capital and broke the prison and freed all the prisoners inside.

Pajhwok reporter in Gardiz city, Shakoor Kamran said that heavy clashes were underway in the city and the governor’s house was still in Afghan forces’ control.

Taliban captured around 25 provinces in Afghanistan in around a week.

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