The Taliban entered to Mazar-e-Sharif

According to some unconfirmed reports, Taliban fighters have entered Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province.

Some sources inside Mazar-e-Sharif say that Taliban fighters have entered Mazar-e-Sharif, and in some parts of the city, gunfire can be heard.

The sources also say that security and government officials and all forces under command of Atta Mohammad Noor stationed in Mazar-e-Sharif have retreated towards the port town of Hairatan.

But so far the fall of Mazar-e-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, has not been confirmed by official sources.

Meanwhile, Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, a Taliban spokesman, said on his Twitter page that Maimana, the capital of Faryab province, had fallen to the group.

Zabihullah Mujahid, another Taliban spokesman, also issued a statement claiming that the group had captured the town of Sharana, the capital of Paktika province, and Gardez, the capital of Paktia province.

He said that the 203rd corps based in Gardez also had been captured by the group and that many vehicles and equipment had fallen into the hands of the group.

With the fall of Mazar-e-Sharif, Taliban-controlled areas now reach 21 provinces.