Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan (Photo: NurPhoto)

He also indicated the fast-deteriorating situation in the war-wracked country as the US forces near completion of their pullout by the end of August.

The General told reporters that more than 200 of the 419 district centers were under Taliban control. Last month alone, the Taliban controlled 81 districts in Afghanistan, he added. While the insurgent group had not taken over any provincial capitals, they were putting pressure on the outskirts of half of them.