Acceding to Tasnim dispatches, Asadollah Sadat said Taliban militants mounted severe attacks against Qala-i-Zal yesterday and took full control of the northern town this morning.
The police headquarters and governor's compound have fallen to the insurgents because of the central government’s failure to provide assistance to security forces in the town, he added.
The Afghan defense ministry has not confirmed the collapse of Qala-i-Zal to Taliban militants.
In a statement, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the insurgents had taken government buildings. He said several police officers and soldiers had been killed and wounded.
Local reports said Taliban has twice succeeded in capturing the town for brief periods over the past 18 months.