Officials in Paktika said on Tuesday that Taliban had captured two districts of the southeastern province.
Provincial Council Head, Bakhtyar Gul Hemat, told some media outlets that the militant group overrun Gian and Omna districts on Monday night.
He said center of the Gian district was overrun by Taliban after heavy clashes over the past five days, adding that Omna district center had already fallen to the Taliban and the last three outposts of Afghan forces in Zwaka area were also captured by militants on Monday night.
He said the security situation in Paktika province is rapidly deteriorating and Sorobi district is also facing serious threats.
An Afghan National Army (ANA) official, who wished to go unnamed, confirmed to Pajhwok Afghan New the fall of Gian district, saying the center of the district had been surrounded for the past few days.
Following intense fighting, the insurgents managed to take complete control of the district, said the army official, who gave no information about casualties.
Meanwhile, a source in the National Directorate of Security told Pajhwok Omna district had also fallen to the Taliban after a few of days heavy clashes.
On the other hand, the Taliban claimed captured the two districts. The group’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the rebels had seized many security checkpoints and military bases.
Two Paktika districts fall to Taliban
