LASHKAR GAH: Afghan government forces have pulled out of a second district in Helmand, officials said on Monday, leaving the Taliban in control of most of the northern part of the province after troops withdrew from Musa Qala district last week.

Military and government officials said the move had been made to concentrate forces more effectively. But it raises questions over the ability of Afghan security forces to take on Taliban militants who have stepped up their insurgency since the withdrawal of international troops in 2014 from most combat operations left them fighting largely alone.—Reuters