In Afghanistan, more than one thousand troops have fled into neighbouring Tajikistan following clashes with the Taliban.

According to reports, the troops run away after fighting across much of the northern countryside where Taliban have overrun dozens of districts.

Nine more districts have been captured by the Taliban in single day and now more than 150 districts are under their control.

The districts fell into Taliban's control include six districts in Badakhshan, one in Kandahar, one in Paktika and one in Takhar.

On the other hand, the Afghan government has vowed to launch a counteroffensive in the north.

One thousand, mainly US, troops could remain on the ground to protect diplomatic missions and Kabul's international airport.