The Taliban have seized control of Afghanistan's main border crossing with Tajikistan, while security forces guarding it have fled across the border.
The capture of Sher Khan Bandar in northern Afghanistan, 50km from Kunduz city, is the Taliban's biggest victory since the announcement of the withdrawal of US forces, according to international media reports. "We were forced to leave all the checkpoints and some of our troops crossed the border into Tajikistan," an army official said on condition of anonymity. He acknowledged that hundreds of Taliban fighters were present by morning. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also confirmed that the Taliban had taken control of the crossing across the Pinej River. Khan has gained full control of border crossings with Tajikistan in Bandar and Kunduz.
