<span style="color: #222222;">The Taliban has seized a district from the Afghan government forces on the outskirts of Kabul, ahead of a three-day ceasefire agreed between the warring sides.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Nerkh district is around 40 kilometres from the Afghan capital in the neighbouring Wardak province, which has long been used by militants as a gateway to reach Kabul and launch deadly attacks.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">Violence has soared since 1st May when the U.S. military began formally withdrawing its last remaining troops, as peace efforts between the Taliban and the Afghan government have stalled.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The Defence Ministry yesterday said, it would launch an offensive to win back the district, home to more than 60,000 people. Fawad Aman, a spokesman for the Defence Ministry said that the Commando reinforcements are on their way.</span><br />'' <br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The main highway that connects Kabul to southern Kandahar province goes through the district.</span><br />''  <br />