Taliban fighters seize headquarters of northern district in Afghanistan

Taliban fighters have captured the headquarters of Kohistanat, a northern district in Sar-e-pul province in Afghanistan, said officials.

According to the BBC, it came after a night of heavy fighting and two days after the Taliban took control of a police base in northern Badakhshan province, capturing and later releasing over 100 officers.

Militant violence in the country has increased after the US and NATO forces were withdrawn last year.

According to reports, at least one local police commander in Kohistanat and several other officers had been forced to surrender to the Taliban.