Ashraf Ghani leaves Afghanistan as Taliban take over Kabul

Afghanistan crisis: Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani has left the capital Kabul for Tajikistan, a senior Afghan Interior Ministry official told Reuters.

The president's office, however, said that it “cannot say anything about Ashraf Ghani's movement for security reasons", according to the news agency. 

This comes hours after Taliban entered Kabul from all sides. They, however, said that they will not enter the capital city by force. A representative of the Taliban said the group was checking on Ghani's whereabouts, reported. 

Ghani had earlier in the day said that power cannot be transferred unless the Taliban inform about President's successor from their side. 'Serious talk' are underway between the Taliban and the Afghan government about the peaceful transfer of power while the US mediation is also present in the discussion, News reported.

Ghani said that power cannot be handed over to a group with an unknown leader, he also insisted that power will not be handed over unless an agreement is reached on



lasting peace in the country, the source informed the agency. 

As the Taliban tighten its grip further over Kabul, first Vice President Amrullah Saleh today vowed to never, ever and under no circumstances bow down to the insurgents. "I will never, ever and under no circumstances bow to d Talib terrorists. I will never betray d soul and legacy of my hero Ahmad Shah Masoud, the commander, the legend, and the guide. I won't disappoint millions who listened to me. I will never be under one ceiling with the Taliban. NEVER," tweeted Saleh.

Ahmad Shah Massoud who was considered as Sher-e-Panjshir garnered a fearsome reputation in its fight against the Taliban in the 1990s. He also led the Northern Alliance group that helped Americans in its "war against terror".

Meanwhile, the Presidential Palace informed that there had been sporadic shootings in Kabul city but Kabul city was not attacked and the country's security and defence forces along with international partners were providing security to the city and the situation was under control, reported News.