Kabul, Aug 14 (IANS) Taliban militants have captured Warsaj district, the last bastion of the Afghan government in Takhar province and further consolidated their position in the country's northern region, an official said on Saturday.

"Warsaj district collapsed to the Taliban fighters on Friday evening and the security forces based there retreated to Panjshir province," the official told Xinhua news agency.

The Afghan government is yet to confirm the development.

With the capture of Warsaj district, the Taliban have completed its grip on northern Takhar province.

In addition, the armed group, which captured 17 provinces over the past nine days, have been fighting to overrun Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of Balkh province, and Maimana of Farah province to complete its grasp in Afghanistan's northern provinces.

--IANS ksk/