The clashes in the northern city of Pul-e-Khumri in Baghlan Province entered the sixth day on Friday despite reinforcements have been sent to the province and airstrikes have also started. 

All roads connecting to Pul-e-Khumri are closed for the past six days, according to residents.

A commander of 207 Pamir Corps, Brig. Gen. Abbas Tawakuli, said the operation in Baghlan is slow as they want to protect civilians.

Many people have been stranded on the two sides of the city through which passes the main highway that connects Kabul with northern provinces. 

“We slowed down our operations to reduce civilian casualties but be sure that our operations will continue to reopen highways,” Mr. Tawakuli said.

“Police force members are serving day and night to reopen the Baghlan-Balkh highway,” Security Officer of Baghlan Police, Naqibullah, said.

Baghlan residents said the clashes have made life difficult for them. 

“The war is ongoing for the past four days and I have not been able to work and earn money,” said Nasir, a shoemaker.

This comes as heavy clashes are ongoing in Khan Abad district in the northeastern province of Kunduz – which is close to Baghlan. 

Interior Ministry’s spokesman Nusrat Rahimi rejected the reports which say the district has fallen to militants, but he added that heavy clashes are ongoing in parts of Khan Abad. 

Sources said that Dasht-e-Archi district in Kunduz also witnessed clashes between security forces and the Taliban on Friday.