Afghanistan: Hard Clashes Erupt between Taliban, Afghan Forces over Ghazni

Fierce clashes have broken out between Taliban and Afghan government forces as the militants launched an all-out offensive to seize the central city of Ghazni. The fighting erupted near security checkpoints in the Shaikh Ajal and Ganj area of Ghazni city on Tuesday, forcing shopkeepers to shut the main market in the central province of the same name. Local officials said the Taliban militants used explosives in an attempt to take control of the city while Afghan troops tried to repel the attack and managed to regain control of areas captured by the militants in the outskirts of Ghazni. “The…