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Taliban forces say they have captured a key border crossing with Pakistan


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Kabul, July 15 (RHC)-- Taliban forces say they have captured a key border crossing with Pakistan as they continue to make territorial gains, and with the U.S. and NATO withdrawal nearing its end.  Taliban fighters say they are encouraging Afghan soldiers to surrender to the militant group.

One Taliban leader told reporters: “Our request to the soldiers is to have mercy on themselves and surrender.  Our order is a general amnesty, and they will be forgiven and will not face any problems.  They have seen what we have done to them.  Sometimes we have given them money and hung flowers around their neck.”

Video emerged this week that appears to show Taliban fighters gunning down 22 Afghan soldiers as they surrendered last month, in what Amnesty International has called a war crime.  Intra-Afghan peace talks are expected to resume as early as Friday in Doha.