Afghan forces battle to recapture Taliban-held Kabul outskirt

The military operation to regain control of Nerkh district came just before the start of a three-day Eid ceasefire.

Afghanistan’s security forces have mounted an operation to recapture a Taliban-held district outside the capital Kabul, according to a local official. The battle for Nerkh district, which lies in Wardak province about 40km (25 miles) from Kabul, came on Wednesday, just before the start of a three-day ceasefire at midnight. Taliban fighters had killed or captured some government soldiers on Tuesday and forced others to retreat in the centre of Nerkh.