KABUL, Afghanistan, March 29 (UPI) -- The Taliban ousted both the governor and police from the capital of a district in Afghanistan's eastern Nuristan Province Tuesday, Afghan officials confirmed.

Nuristan police commander Gen. Shams-ul-Rahman Zahid said insurgents were in temporary control of the area, The New York Times reported.


"Police forces have tactically withdrawn from the district center early this morning about 5 a.m. following harsh fighting and due to lack of ammunition, and to avoid civilian casualties," Zahid told the Times.

He said government forces were planning a counter attack to retake the district.

"We will reinforce and retake the district soon from the insurgents," he said.

The capture by the Taliban of an administrative center is relatively rare even though members of the Taliban are present in a majority of the districts in Afghanistan.

Last year, Taliban forces seized control of another district in Nuristan Province and U.S. troops had to be sent in to restore Afghan control.