PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Taliban militants have captured Burka district in Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province, provincial police spokesman Jawed Basharat said Wednesday.
"Taliban rebels launched multi-pronged offensive on Burka district and entered the district headquarters last night," Basharat told Xinhua.
However, the official asserted that the security forces based in the district had made "tactical retreat" and would soon launch counter-attack to retake the district.
Basharat didn't make comments on the possible casualties of the warring sides.
In the meantime, district governor Taj Mohammad in talks with Xinhua has confirmed the incident, saying "Burka district was under Taliban siege for the past several months and finally captured by the insurgents" after the authorities retreated and stationed outside the district headquarters.
No security personnel had been harmed as the security forces and the civilian employees based in the district abandoned the district, the governor said, adding counter-attack would be launched soon to recapture it.
Taliban militants who have intensified activities since the announcement of the U.S.-led forces withdrawal last month have yet to make comments.
Baghlan province with Pul-e-Khumri as its capital has been the scene of Taliban-led increasing militancy. Enditem
