The Taliban insurgents has captured Afghanistan’s main border crossing with Tajikistan(a central Asian nation), Afghan officials said today.
Reports from Afghanistan are saying that the seizure of Shir Khan Bandar, in the far north of Afghanistan about 50km (30 miles) from Kunduz city, is the most significant gain for the Taliban since it stepped up operations on May 1 when the US began the final stages of its troop withdrawal.
“We were forced to leave all check posts … and some of our soldiers crossed the border into Tajikistan. By the morning, they (Taliban fighters) were everywhere, hundreds of them,” he said on condition of anonymity,” an army officer told AFP news agency.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says, “Our Mujahideen are in full control of Shir Khan Bandar and all the border crossings with Tajikistan in Kunduz.”
A 700-metre United States funded bridge at the crossing that opened in 2007 with the aim of boosting trade between the central Asian neighbours.
