A coordinated attack by the Taliban was repelled in Doshi district in Baghlan province on Thursday, local officials said.

The fighting started on Wednesday morning when a group of militants attacked the center of the district. The Baghlan-Kunduz Highway was closed to traffic for a couple of hours following the clash which ended on Thursday morning. 

TOLOnews reporter Hamid Shirzai said dozens of civilians were caught up in the battle between government forces and the Taliban but many managed to flee. 

Footage from a battle line close to Baghlan-Kunduz Highway shows civilians – mostly women and children – running from the area while military tanks and soldiers are firing at the Taliban.

“It was 3pm when people shouted that the Taliban has come to the street. We ran and I narrowly escaped two bullets,” said Abdul Wahid, a resident of Doshi district, who was fleeing with his family.

“No we left everything at home. We were washing the carpets when we heard the fight. I took my baby son when he was sleeping and we left our house,” said Hajira, another resident of Doshi, who was cleaning their house ahead of Eid-ul-Aha.

Reports indicate that civilians were also hurt in the clash but no details have yet been released.

The militants were pushed back after the arrival of the Army’s Special Forces, deputy minister of defense Shour Gul said.

“According to intelligence, Taliban had gathered from all districts of Baghlan and even from Badakhshan and Kunduz (provinces) to close the highway to traffic and seize Doshi district but the enemy was defeated and suffered a heavy casualty toll,” he told TOLOnews.

Local officials said seven Taliban fighters were killed and 15 others were wounded in the fighting. 

Baghlan governor Abdulhai Nemati said the defeat of the Taliban was a big achievement for the government forces.

“All the forces from all units were well prepared (for a counterattack). They pushed back the Taliban attack. They (Taliban) suffered heavy losses in the clash,” the governor told TOLOnews.