Governor of poppy-growing Helmand province in south Afghanistan has admitted the bulk influence of Taliban militants in his field, a local newspaper reported Monday.

"Five out of 13 districts of Helmand province are not directly under the control of government," daily 8 Subh quoted provincial governor Gulab Mangal as saying.

These districts include Baghran, Nawzad and Washer, in north of Helmand, and Khanshin and Desho districts, in the south, Mangal confirmed.

However, he did not say if the government has any plan to regain the control of the above districts.

Earlier officials have said that the government does not presence in 10 out of the countries some 400 districts.

As the hotbed of Taliban militants in south Afghanistan, Helmand is notorious for producing poppy and militancy over the past seven years.

Source: Xinhua