SAR-I-PUL - The Taliban are closing in on the headquarters of Sayyad district in northern Sar-i-Pul province amid an intense fighting with security forces, a public representative said on Saturday.
Salahuddin Cherik, a member of the provincial council, told Pajhwok Afghan News the Taliban captured Dara Band and Bazaar Kami areas of the district on Friday night and a fierce clash was ongoing just three kilometers from the district centre.
The Bazaar Kami and Dara Band localities are situated west of the district centre.
Governor Mohammad Zahir Wahdat confirmed the Taliban had captured some areas. He, however, claimed 13 militants were killed and 17 others wounded during the past 24 hours of fighting.
He said the bodies of some insurgents remained at the battlefield.
The Taliban also said they captured some areas near the district centre and inflicted heavy losses on the security forces.
The group claimed seizing three military vehicles, one corolla car, eight motorcycles, two antiaircraft guns, two machineguns, one mortar and a Kalashnikov.
Azizullah, a resident of Dara Band locality who was preparing to flee the area, said many people had been displaced due to the ongoing clashes.
He said the Taliban stormed their area from four sides. “We left our houses and are now searching for a safe and secure place.”
Security officials said they would launch fresh attacks to capture areas lost to the rebels after the arrival of reinforcements. (Pajhwok)