Taliban threatens major offensive

"During these operations which will begin today or tomorrow, we'll take most of the districts in southern and south-central Afghanistan," purported Taliban spokesman Mohammad Hanif told AFP.

The threat came as the Afghan government confirmed that the rebels had forced government forces out of at least one district in the troubled southern province of Helmand late Monday.

The Taliban was holding at least one district in southern Afghanistan yesterday as the US-led coalition said it had "seriously disrupted" elements of the rebel leadership.

The militants had taken over southernmost Garmser district in Helmand province after days of fighting, the president's office told reporters in the capital, confirming claims by district officials.

"After 16 days of brave resistance, our police -- who numbered only 42 people -- had to pull back," said presidential spokesman Karim Rahimi.

"After they left the area, eight vehicles loaded with Taliban came from across the border and took the district," he said. The remote desert province borders Pakistan.

Other officials said the Taliban had stormed the Naway-i-Barakzayi district, to the north of Garmser, on Monday and were in control for a few hours before being pushed back after heavy clashes. Rahimi could not confirm this.