Taliban capture district headquarters in AfghanistanAugust 27, 2016 - 14:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - An Afghan official says the Taliban have overrun a district headquarters in eastern Afghanistan, the Associated Press reports. Naqib Ahmad Atal, spokesman for the governor of Paktia province, says Afghan security forces withdrew from the Janikhail district headquarters Saturday to prevent civilian casualties. He says at least five police officers were killed and five others were wounded in heavy fighting. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid says the fighters have taken over the district and seized weapons, ammunition and military vehicles. The Taliban have been waging offensives across Afghanistan in recent months, capturing two districts in the north and threatening the provincial capital of the southern Helmand province. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Armenia to participate in key EU meeting for the first time ever National Assembly speaker Alen Simonyan has said that Armenia will for the first time participate in the Conference. U.S. reacts to Russia’s criticism of upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting Matthew Miller has weighed in on Russia’s criticism of an upcoming Armenia-EU-U.S. meeting. Lavrov sees ‘collapse’ of Russia’s ties with Armenia Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has underscored heightened tensions between Russia and Armenia. Russia warns Armenia against “falling into West’s trap” Zakharova maintained, however, that anything that will benefit the people of Armenia can only be welcomed. |