Since the Taliban captured three more provincial capitals in Afghanistan and a local army headquarters, a Defence Ministry official and local media reports said President Ashraf Ghani had replaced Afgan’s army chief. Sources said Gen Hibatullah Alizai had replaced Gen Wali Ahmadzai as the Afghan army chief of staff.

Ahmadzai was appointed as army chief a few months back, but he has encountered a lot of criticism due to his weak management. Meanwhile, commander of the Maiwand corps, Sami Sadat was appointed as commander of the Afghan National Army Commandos, Afghanistan Times added.

The Taliban's aggressive offensive has hit the Afghan Army badly as the terror group has snatched nine provincial capital from the government in Afghanistan. According to Sources of information,  the Kabul Government was pursuing the policy of wearing down the Taliban by withdrawing its forces to defend the cities rather than spreading itself thin in the entire country. The airport at Mazar was reported open and civilian flights were operating normally so far, they said.

Meanwhile, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet said reports of violations that could amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity were emerging from Afghanistan. These included “deeply disturbing reports” of the summary execution of surrendering government troops.

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