Taliban capture three northern Afghan districts, inch closer to resistance stronghold Panjshir Valley

Forces loyal to Ahmad Massoud, son of the late mujahideen commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, have established themselves in his Panjshir stronghold, which resisted both the Soviets and the Taliban before 2001.

KABUL: The Taliban fighters have reportedly captured three districts in northern Afghanistan and have inched closer to the major resistance stronghold Panjshir Valley. News agency Reuters, citing a Taliban spokesperson, said the Taliban fighters were in position near the Panjshir Valley and had retaken three districts in northern Afghanistan that fell to local militia groups last week. It, however, stated that there were no confirmed reports of further fighting in the region. The districts - Bano, Deh Saleh, Pul e-Hesar - in the northern province of Baghlan were taken by local militia groups last week in one of the first signs of armed resistance to the Taliban since their seizure of the capital Kabul on Aug. 15.