An Afghan official says the Taliban has seized control of a strategic district in the poppy-growing province of Helmand, although the governor's office said there was ongoing fighting between militants and Afghan forces.
Abdul Majeed Akhonzada, deputy director of the provincial council, told the Associated Press that the Kanashin district had "fallen into Taliban hands."
Akhonzada said the Taliban's seizure of the district, which borders Pakistan, means the militants "control of 60 percent of Helmand."
Much of the Marjah, Sangin, Garmser, and Dishu districts had already fallen to the Taliban.
Omar Zwak, the spokesman for the governor of Helmand province, said on July 30 that the clashes were continue between Afghan troops and Taliban militants in parts of the district.
Zwak said 20 militants and one Afghan policemen were killed after dozens of Taliban fighters launched an attack on July 29 in the Kanashin district.