KANDAHAR: The Afghan Taliban took control of Panjwai, a key district in Kandahar, after fierce night-time fighting with government forces, officials said on Sunday.
The group has pressed on with their campaign to capture territory across Afghanistan's rural areas since early May when the US military began the pullout.
The fall of Panjwai district in the southern province of Kandahar comes just two days after US and NATO forces vacated their main Bagram Air Base near Kabul, from where they led operations for two decades against the Taliban and their Al-Qaeda allies.
Over the years, the Taliban and Afghan forces have regularly clashed in and around Panjwai, with the insurgents aiming to seize it given its proximity to Kandahar city, the provincial capital.
The province of Kandahar is the birthplace of the Taliban, who went on to rule Afghanistan until being overthrown by a US-led invasion in 2001.
Panjwai district governor Hasti Mohammad said Afghan forces and the Taliban clashed during the night, resulting in government forces retreating from the area.
"The Taliban have captured the district police headquarters and governor's office building," he told AFP.
Kandahar provincial council head Sayed Jan Khakriwal confirmed the fall of Panjwai, but accused government forces of "intentionally withdrawing".
Fighting has raged across several provinces of Afghanistan in recent weeks and the Taliban claim to have seized more than 100 out of nearly 400 districts in the country.
Afghan officials dispute the claims but acknowledge that government troops have retreated from some districts. It is difficult to independently verify the situation.
The exit of foreign troops from Bagram Air Base, north of Kabul, has fuelled concerns the insurgents will ramp up their campaign to capture new territory.
Bagram Air Base has great military and symbolic significance, with foreign forces previously stationed there offering vital air support in the fight against the Taliban.
Afghan authorities who have taken control of the base say they will use it to fight terrorism, and have already re-activated its radar system.
Former president takes break from his hush money trial proceedings to attend son's graduation ceremony
Miss USA Organisation has a "toxic work environment", says former Miss USA
The show was part of the inaugural Red Sea Fashion Week and was held at the St. Regis Red Sea Resort, near Saudi...
Dubai has big collection of islands worth billions
Ambani family did not always have luxurious life
UK PM is way ahead of Queen Elizabeth's son