Taliban overrun 7 strategic checkpoints in Afghanistan

Kabul: Taliban militants have overrun seven checkpoints in the strategically important Mirza Olang area in Afghanistan's northern Sari Pul province, a local official said on Saturday.

"Taliban militants in an overnight operation captured seven police checkpoints in Mirza Olang area, forcing security forces to retreat," provincial police chief Khalilullah Dastyar told Xinhua.

If the militants are able to control Mirza Olang area, they would be able to influence the provincial capital Sari Pul and the neighbouring Sayad and Kohistanat districts, local observers believe.