Taliban seize two Afghan districts

Taliban fighters have seized two districts in Afghanistan's Takhar province after days of intense fighting with government forces, officials said on Tuesday.

Hundreds of Taliban militants began their offensive by attacking Takhar four days ago. The government forces offered stiff resistance and pushed the militants back before they captured Yangi-Qala and Darqad districts.

A Takhar government spokesperson told Efe news that it was a tactical retreat by the security forces "to prevent civilian casualties".

The spokesperson claimed that the security forces did not suffer any casualty in the battle in which 30 Taliban fighters were killed.

"We have sent enough reinforcement to the districts (to) start the counter-attack soon," Hijri said.

Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid claimed several security forces were killed and injured during the offensive.

He said militant also seized "several vehicles, weapons and ammunitions" from captured security posts in the two districts.