Civilians flee from Afghan fighting

The opposition in Afghanistan says civilians have fled from the town of Taloqan as forces from the ruling Taleban advance towards it.

The Taleban has captured most of the area of Bangi, west of Taloqan.

The opposition says civilians are afraid of aerial bombardments and mistreatment, but the Taleban has promised to protect the lives and property of non combatants.

The BBC Kabul correspondent says Taloqan is an important base for the opposition, which has vowed to defend the town at all costs.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service