Curfew imposed in Afghanistan to curb Taliban offensive

Insurgents have captured key border crossings and encircled several provincial capitals

Afghan authorities have imposed a night-time curfew across 31 of the country's 34 provinces to curb surging violence unleashed by a sweeping Taliban offensive in recent months, the interior ministry has said.

The widespread Taliban offensive has seen the insurgents capture key border crossings, dozens of districts and encircle several provincial capitals since early May.