Taliban soldiers patrolled a town in Panjshir Valley, Afghanistan, on Tuesday, a week after taking over the former rebel stronghold.

The streets appeared empty, except for other Taliban-boarded vehicles carrying the jihadist flag.

The Taliban claimed Panjshir on September 7, after weeks of clashes in the mountainous valley.

Sporadic skirmishes have continued in pockets of Panjshir as the Taliban mount a war of attrition against National Resistance Front (NRF) forces still in the valley, stifling food supplies and telecommunications, and reportedly carrying out summary executions of civilians.

At least 20 people have allegedly been killed by Taliban troops in the region, including a local shopkeeper accused of selling sim cards to resistance fighters, a report on BBC news said.

Meanwhile, NRF leader Ahmad Massoud, who was last reported still in Afghanistan, has vowed to sustain resistance efforts, enjoining Afghans to stand up against Taliban rule.

He said: ‘Dear compatriots, I call you wherever you are, whether inside or outside [Afghanistan], to start a national uprising for the dignity, freedom and pride of our homeland. Whoever can stand in any way and raise their voice for freedom, we are by your side.’