The fighting between security forces and the Taliban has inched closer to the center of Baghlan-e-Markazi center on Tuesday afternoon after the insurgent group attacked the district in the west of Pul-e-Khumri city earlier in the day, police force members said.

Baghlan-e-Markazi district lies on the Kabul-Kunduz highway – and has witnessed numerous attacks over the past few weeks by the Taliban.  

Earlier this month, the insurgent group attacked security outposts in Ali Abad district in the south of Kunduz city and closed the Kabul-Kunduz road to traffic for more than a week. 

Local policemen said many parts of the Kabul-Kunduz highway were closed to traffic by Tuesday evening.

“Taliban attacked (Baghlan-e-Markazi district) at midnight (on Monday) and now they are in the municipality’s garden. We need reinforcements otherwise the Taliban will move closer,” said Sadiq, a local police commander in Baghlan-e-Markazi.

By Tuesday afternoon, the Afghan Air Force arrived to help with air support, TOLOnews reporter Hamid Shirzai said. 

Shirzai said the local market in the district was closed and people were worried about their safety. 

Baghlan health officials said the bodies of four security force members have so far been taken to the district hospital. 

“From the start of the battle early in the morning so far we have received four bodies from government forces and 16 wounded were taken to the hospital, nine are civilians,” said Khalilurrahman Narmgoi, the head of the hospital.

A number of residents, including a few children, who escaped from the areas under the control of the Taliban, said the war between government forces and the Taliban has forced many families to leave their houses. 

“We were at home when the Taliban came; we escaped,” said Farid, a resident of the district.

“Our house was destroyed. Taliban destroyed a (security) outpost and many bullets hit our house,” said Freba, a young girl who left her house with her family.