Kabul: Heavy fighting is underway between Afghan forces and the Taliban in central parts of three northern provinces of Kunduz, Sar-e-Pul and Jawzjan with reports of civilian casualties in the clashes, the Tolonews reported. 

The clashes in Kunduz have reached the center of the city of Kunduz in northeastern Afghanistan, sources said. Some key government buildings have fallen to the Taliban, the sources added, reported said.

At least 11 people have been killed and 39 more have been wounded in Kunduz clashes that started on Friday evening, the provincial public health directorate said, added reports.

A source from the province was quoted saying that clashes have intensified near the police headquarters and the main roundabout in the center of Kunduz city.

The fighting in the northern Sar-e-Pul province has reached the capital of the province and the Sancharak district which has fallen to Taliban, reports suggest.

Meanwhile, sources said that Babur Ishchi, head of Jawzjan provincial council, surrounded to the Taliban along with his 20 fighters after hours of clashes against the group in Khawja Do Koh district, which is the hometown for former vice president Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum and was one of the two areas under government control in the province, said reports.

Sources said that Taliban has released Ishchi’s fighters but has “taken him and his brother” with them.

The Taliban in a statement claimed that Ishchi and his men have surrounded to the group, said reports. (Tolonews)