An Afghan official says the Taliban have captured a second district in the northern province of Kunduz following intense clashes with local security forces.
Mohammad Yusuf Ayubi, head of the provincial council, said on June 22 that the insurgents attacked the district of Dashti Archi from four directions, setting off heavy fighting before acquiring full control of the area.
Ayubi said local forces suffered casualties but could not give a precise toll.
He says around 150,000 residents of the district were unable to leave.
In an e-mailed statement, the Taliban confirmed that they had captured the district, as well as ammunition and four tanks.
On June 21, the Taliban seized control of the Chardara district in Kunduz on June 21.
The insurgents in April tried to capture the provincial capital, also called Kunduz, in a suprise attack, but were eventually pushed back by Afghan forces.
Security forces in northern Afghanistan said on June 21 that they were preparing to launch a counteroffensive against Taliban militants.
The Interior Ministry announced on June 21 that government forces had regained control of Yamgan district in the northeastern province of Badakhshan.
