The Taliban said on Sunday that their forces had fought their way into the provincial capital of Panjshir, the valley where opposition forces have been holding out since the fall of Kabul three weeks ago.

The police headquarters and district center of Rukhah, adjacent to the provincial capital Bazarak, had fallen, and opposition forces had suffered numerous casualties, with large numbers of prisoners and captured vehicles, weapons and ammunition, Taliban spokesman Bilal Karimi said on Twitter.

Fighting was underway in Bazarak, he said. It was not possible to confirm the report, which was echoed on other Taliban Twitter accounts.

Earlier on Sunday, Fahim Dashti, a spokesperson for National Retail Federation (NRF) said the existence of Taliban force in Panjshir is completely cleaned.

He said at least 1,000 Taliban soldiers were trapped due to a roadblock when retreating from the region and they were either killed, captured or surrendered.

Taliban spokesperson have previously told China Media Group the battle in Panjshir Valley is almost over.

"The battle is almost over except a small pocket of resistance which is being said to be sorted out either through negotiations or otherwise," he said.

(With input from AFP)