Taliban claims to have taken over the presidential palace in Kabul

Though the exact situation in the presidential palace in Kabul is unclear, the Taliban has claimed to have taken over the presidential palace, reports BBC. However, there has been no confirmation from government officials.

Local journalist Bilal Sarwary has informed that though Ghani should have joined the transition of power ceremony inside the palace as part of the agreement, he and his senior aides left the country instead.

The Taliban informed a wire that there would be no transitional government following their sweep.

Meanwhile, confusion also persists as to President Ghani's destination. While a senior Interior Ministry official said he has left for Tajikistan, another Foreign Ministry official said his location is unknown, and the Taliban is searching his whereabouts.

A senior Interior Ministry informed that the Taliban occupied Kabul from all sides, and there were reports of sporadic gunfire. As per reports from an NGO which runs a hospital in Kabul, forty have arrived at the hospital, and more casualties are arriving. According to a security alert issued by US Embassy, there are reports of gunfire at Kabul's airport.

"The security situation in Kabul is changing quickly," US officials said.

The Taliban has also issued a statement under the banner of "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan", claiming they have now been permitted to enter Kabul. "The Taliban will secure areas abandoned by Afghan forces in Kabul," said the statement. It sought to assure citizens that the forces will neither enter their homes nor "bother them".