Taliban overruns 2 districts in SE Afghanistan

Taliban fighters have overrun two districts in the southeastern province of Paktika, on the border with Pakistan, officials said on Tuesday. The militants began attacking security checkpoints and the centers of Omna and Gayan districts in Paktika on Sunday, forcing Afghan security forces to pull out, leaving large quantities of weapons and equipment, Reuters reported. “After almost two days of heavy fighting, Taliban captured both district centers,” said provincial council member Fazel Rahman Katawazi. Three members of the Afghan security forces were killed and a number of others injured, according to Katawazi. The Taliban have taken a series of district centers so far this year as heavy fighting continues across the country.