THE Taliban claimed on Monday it has "completely conquered" Afghanistan after "crushing" resistance as they planted their flag in their stronghold.
Thousands of militants took part in a fierce assault on the mountainous Panjshir province, the last region holding out against the Taliban takeover.
Jihadis previously seized four of the area's seven districts, including provincial capital Bazarak, from anti-Taliban forces known as the Lions of Panjshir following days of bloody battle.
The region, 80 miles north of Kabul, was the final territorial obstacle standing in the way of the Taliban announcing a government.
And today, a spokesman for the group, Zabihullah Mujahid, issued a statement saying the area had been "completely conquered" and a "number of people" were killed while the "rest fled".
At a press conference in Kabul, he said: "We tried our best to solve the problem through negotiations, and they rejected talks and then we had to send our forces to fight."
Video appears show Taliban fighters raising their distinctive white and black flag over the governor's house in Panjshir Valley.
However, claims of the region's fall have been denied by opposition alliance the National Resistance Front (NRF).
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Taliban plant flag in final resistance stronghold as they claim crushing victory over ‘Lions of Panjshir’
www.thesun.co.uk/news/16060254/taliban-plant-flag-resistance-panjshir/
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