“There is also information that the Taliban took some (military) tanks Pakistan through Zabul province (in southern Afghanistan),” he was quoted as saying by TOLOnews. Orders have been issued to increase patrolling on border areas, he added.

“They have taken military equipment owned by security forces across the Durand Line,” said Shamim Khan Katawazai, head of the Independent Directorate of Local Governance. Photos also emerged Pakistani soldiers taking pictures with that equipment, he said.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, denied the claim.

This comes as heavy fighting is underway in Paktia, an eastern province bordering Pakistan, between security forces and the Taliban for the last week. Security forces retook Ahmad Aba and Mirzaka districts in Paktia from the Taliban in the last three days.

Significantly, the Taliban has taken control of a large number of districts in the country’s northern areas. Thousands of Afghan soldiers and policemen surrendered along with their weapons to the insurgent group.