Afghanistan's government imposes night curfew in most parts of country

Kabul: Afghanistan's government has imposed a night-time curfew across almost all of the country's 34 provinces to stem surging violence unleashed by a sweeping Taliban offensive that has seen the armed group make rapid territorial gains.

"To curb violence and limit the Taliban movements, a night curfew has been imposed in 31 provinces across the country," except in Kabul, Panjshir and Nangarhar, the Interior Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. The measure will be effective between 10pm and 4am local time, Deputy Interior Ministry spokesman Ahmad Zia Zia, said in a statement.