The Taliban militant group has announced it is engaging in rescue efforts in Afghanistan after heavy snowfall caused over 80 deaths in 48 hours.<br /><br /> It published a report on its Internet portal ‘The Jihad Voice’ in which it claims to have helped dozens of people in vehicles stuck in snow in the southern province of Zabul.<br /><br /> At least 50 people died in one village in Nuristan, in the north east of the country, after an avalanche buried the commune, an official has confirmed.<br /><br /> Provincial Governor Hafiz Abdul Qayum said it was feared the death toll may rise.<br /><br /> Elsewhere in the region, at least five people were killed when roofs collapsed onto them.<br /><br /> Badakhshan deaths<br /><br /> Heavy snow in the northern province of Badakhshan has also proved deadly, with at least 19 people succumbing to avalanches, or other weather-related incidents since Friday.<br /><br /> Some 17 people were injured in the area, according to a spokesman for the provincial governor.<br /><br /> Pakistan-Afghanistan border avalanche<br /><br /> Separately, a government rescue worker was killed when an avalanche struck the Chitral region, near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, the commanding officer said.<br />
