Afghanistan announces death of Taliban-appointed Governor of Nimruz

SANAA, Aug. 07 (YPA) – The Taliban-appointed governor of Nimruz province was killed in an airstrike , along with a number of fighters in the central city of Zaranj, Afghan authorities said on Saturday.

The Taliban said it has taken control over parts of Sheberghan, the centre of Jowzjan province in northern Afghanistan, and central prison and the release of detainees.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for killing the government’s senior media officer in Kabul on Friday, days after warning that it would target senior officials in response to heavy aerial bombardments against its members.

Meanwhile, the Taliban said they had taken control of the northern Afghan city of Sheberghan and the city’s police headquarters.

The group also  captured the city of Zaranj in Nimruz province, near the Iranian border, while Afghan authorities confirmed continued fighting inside and around the city.

Earlier, the Afghan Ministry of Defence announced that 50 Taliban militants had been killed in airstrikes and military operations in the days-long battle of Helmand.

The ministry noted that more than 60 Taliban militants were killed in air strikes around the northern city of Jowzjan.

E.M