Taliban seize control of Afghan police base

The Taliban took control of a large police base in a remote part of northeastern Afghanistan after 100 police and border guards joined the insurgents following three days of fighting, security officials said.

The loss of the Tirgaran base in Badakhshan province marked the largest mass surrender since US and Nato forces concluded their combat mission at the end of last year. It highlighted the challenges facing Afghan security forces, which have seen their casualties soar in the face of stepped-up insurgent attacks.