The Taliban claims to have overrun two districts, one in Paktika in eastern Afghanistan and another in Samangan in the north, over the past 24 hours. While the Taliban’s claim of control cannot be independently verified, the group has proven to be accurate when reporting on the status of districts. Zabihullah Mujahid, an official spokesman for the Taliban, said on Twitter that “Khushamand district falls to Mujahidin” and there would be “more details later.” Afghan officials confirmed that there was heavy fighting in Khushamand, which is also known as Dila Wa Khushamand. A police spokesman claimed that 73 Taliban fighters and four policemen were killed, but both sides routinely inflate casualties. According to Pajhwok Afghan News , “hundreds of militants stormed the district centre from different directions.” In an official statement on Voice of Jihad , the Taliban also rep...