Rebel Commander Seizes Provincial Capital

In a fresh challenge to the election plans of Afghanistan’s U.S.-backed government, a rebel commander seized a remote provincial capital after clashes that killed several people and forced the governor to flee.

Chaghcharan, capital of the central province of Ghor, was taken by the forces of rebel Abdul Salaam Khan, officials said. Violence across the war-ravaged country has worsened markedly in recent months as Islamic insurgents from the ousted Taliban militia seek to disrupt elections planned for September and renegade commanders refuse to give up territory and power without a fight.