Taliban ‘shoot down Afghan military helicopter’ and slaughter troops at checkpoint in latest terror rampage

"The centre of Nad Ali district and its police chief were also captured.

"Large numbers of soldiers were killed and wounded, and large numbers of weapons and ammunition were recovered."

But the army's 215th Maiwand Corps claimed the air force MD-530 helicopter made a crash landing when helicopter gunships pounded Taliban militants on southern outskirts of provincial capital Lashkar Gah city.

And military sources told Pajhwok Afghan News the helicopter made an emergency landing for "technical reasons" following an operation against the Taliban.

The two pilots in the helicopter were not hurt and they were rescued by ground forces, the military said.

HAIRATAN PORT ATTACK

It comes after the Taliban claimed four Afghan soldiers were slaughtered at a checkpoint near the Hairatan port in Balkh province - home to more than $1.4 billion in annual trade - on Wednesday.

"Four soldiers were killed and five others were arrested alive," Mujahid said.

"A large number of weapons and ammunition fell into the hands of the Mujahideen. No harm was done to the Mujahideen."

Acting Defense Minister Bismillah Mohammadi has reviewed the security situation at the port and "issued necessary instructions to the relevant security officials to further strengthen the security".

Taliban forces have surged in recent weeks, capturing dozens of districts and key border regions from the faltering Afghan security forces and military.

The Taliban launched its offensive across the country as the final US troops prepare to leave next month, seizing more than ten provincial capitals as it has advanced.

Refugees have been fleeing to borders to escape as the brutal terror group sweeps across the country.

KANDAHAR SIEGE

And dozens of civilians have been dragged from their homes and executed as the terror group continues to rampage through Kandahar.

Nazar Mohammad, a popular comedian, was among those killed as tens of thousands of refugees flee Afghanistan’s second city, it has been reported.

Taliban militants are said to be going from house to house on the outskirts of Kandahar looking for government workers.

Shocking pictures have emerged of the entertainer, who had worked as a policeman in the Shah Wali Kot district, first backed up against a tree and then lying on the ground with his throat cut.

The Taliban has denied being involved in his murder but his family have accused the terrorist group.

Locals estimate around 100 people have been killed in the past two weeks with another 300 missing.

Officials estimate more than 150,000 civilians have been displaced in southern Kandahar - the birthplace of the Taliban in the 1990s.

And chilling ISIS-style "graduation" photos showing Taliban fighters posing in what is believed to be stolen US military gear have also emerged.

The pics show the 313 Badri Battalion - al Qaeda's military arm in Pakistan with members including the Taliban and allied jihadist groups - honouring their "newly graduated units".

Masked soldiers dressed in full military get-up and armed with assault rifles lined up in the structured snaps.

They also pose on their knees while brandishing their guns, as well as proudly waving the Taliban flag.

The images echo those previously released by ISIS showing newly graduated jihadis waving the black and white ISIS banner during a parade.

While the US has committed to pulling its troops out it has launched a series of airstrikes but officials say there is "no change of policy".

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said Afghan forces must regroup and defend key points as a way to stop the Taliban advancing before trying to reclaim lost territory.