The district was captured by the Taliban in the 2021 offensive in which they seized control of Afghanistan. However, in August 2021, the district was one of three districts in Baghlan province that were occupied by anti-Taliban fighters (remnants of the Afghan National Army and civilian resistance fighters), marking the first wave of armed resistance to the Taliban since they seized control over the country. The other areas in which the Taliban were ousted were Dih Salah and Bano.[3]
On 23 August 2021, the Taliban once again captured all three districts that fell to the resistance forces a week ago, including Puli Hisar District.[4] However, CNN reported on 31 August 2021 that resistance fighters had once again entered Puli Hisar.[5]
The area is mountainous, lying within the Hindu Kush. Among its many mountains are Mount Larbach (Kōh-e Lārbāch) at 4,311 metres (14,144 ft),[11] Mount Sare Surkhi (Kōh-e Sar-e Surkhī) at about 4,306 metres (14,127 ft),[12] and on its southeastern border, Mount Shahak (Kuh-e Kokzaro Zaghicha) at 5,126 metres (16,818 ft)[13][14]
The main stream in the district is the Darwāza (Darah-ye Darwāzah), and most of the villages lie along its banks, or those of its tributaries.[15]