Fighting in northern Afghanistan intensifies

Fighting in north-eastern Afghanistan has intensified, with reports of tanks and heavy artillery being used on several fronts in the east of Takhar province.

A spokesman for the opposition commander, Ahmad Shah Masoud, said there had been fierce fighting around Kalafgan, east of the regional capital, Taloqan, and exchanges of artillery were continuing further south in the districts of Chal and Eshkamesh for a third day.

The Pakistan-based news agency Afghan Islamic Press quoted a Taleban spokesman as saying that Taleban forces had advanced eight kilometres, after launching an attack on opposition positions in Lataband district - 25 km south-east of Taloqan.

There has been no independent confirmation.

Takhar province has been the focus of heavy fighting in recent months, as the Taleban have tried to push north and east.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service