Women in northern and central Afghanistan have taken to the streets carrying weapons against the Taliban insurgency. The Taliban have recently taken control of about a third of Afghanistan's districts since the withdrawal of US and NATO troops.

Hundreds of women have taken to the streets carrying rifles against the radical Taliban. They have posted pictures with weapons on social media. They have been displaying weapons in the streets and chanting anti-Taliban slogans

According to the Associated Press, government security forces have fled to neighboring Tajikistan after Taliban fighters took control of many areas in northern Afghanistan.

Tajikistan says about 300 Afghan security personnel have fled the northern province of Badakhshan and reached its borders. Afghan security forces crossed the border at around 6:30 pm on Saturday.

The Taliban have stormed several districts since the withdrawal of US and NATO troops.

In some places, government security forces are surrendering. In some places, videos of Taliban fighters paying security guards to go home have been leaked.

The Taliban have not yet taken control of any provincial capital. But as they move forward, they are likely to take control of Badakhshan's capital soon.