Taliban Capture Afghanistan’s Main Tajikistan Border Crossing : Officials.

The Taliban captured Afghanistan’s main border crossing with Tajikistan , officials said Tuesday, with security forces abandoning their posts and some fleeing across the frontier. 

The seizure of Shir Khan Bandar, in the far north of Afghanistan, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Kunduz city, is the most significant gain for the Taliban since the US began the final stage of its troop withdrawal in May. 

“Unfortunately this morning and after an hour of fighting the Taliban captured Shir Khan port and the town and all the border check posts with Tajikistan,” said Kunduz provincial council member Khaliddin Hakmi. 

Amruddin Wali , another provincial council member, said officials “lost contact” with the area on Monday night. 

Afgan government forces, however , said they would soon launch a massive offensive to retake lost territory.