KABUL, Aug 9 (France 24) - The Taliban tightened the noose around northern Afghanistan Sunday, capturing three more provincial capitals as they take their fight to the cities after seizing much of the countryside in recent months.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Taliban's political office told Al-Jazeera TV on Sunday that there is no agreement on a ceasefire with the Afghan government, and warned against further U.S. intervention in Afghanistan.

Taliban insurgents have snatched up five provincial capitals in Afghanistan since Friday in a lightning offensive that appears to have overwhelmed government forces.

Kunduz, Sar-e-Pul and Taloqan in the north fell within hours of each other Sunday, lawmakers, security sources and residents in the cities confirmed.

In Kunduz, one resident described the city as being enveloped in "total chaos".

"After some fierce fighting, the mujahideen, with the grace of God, captured the capital of Kunduz," the Taliban said in a statement Sunday afternoon.

"The mujahideen also captured Sar-e-Pul city, the government buildings and all the installations there."

The insurgents said on Twitter on Sunday evening that they had also taken Taloqan, the capital of Takhar province.

Parwina Azimi, a women's rights activist in Sar-e-Pul, told AFP by phone that government officials and the remaining forces had retreated to an army barracks about three kilometres (two miles) from the city.

The Taliban had the compound "surrounded", said Mohammad Hussein Mujahidzada, a member of the provincial council.

Taloqan was the next to go Sunday, with resident Zabihullah Hamidi telling AFP by phone that he saw security forces and officials leave the city in a convoy of vehicles.

"We retreated from the city this afternoon, after the government failed to send help," a security source told AFP.

"The city is unfortunately fully in Taliban hands."