The Taliban has captured a district in Afghanistan’s northern Kunduz province. It is the second area to fall to the group a week after they launched their so-called spring offensive.

A spokesman for Kunduz police said Taliban fighters attacked the district of Qala-e Zal “from several directions” on Friday, and took full control of the district by Saturday. He said security forces had put up tough resistance but were forced to retreat because reinforcements failed to arrive in time.

In a statement, the Taliban said they had killed a number of soldiers, policemen and pro-government militia members and confiscated a huge cache of arms and ammunition.