Main highways in northern Afghanistan – the Kabul-Baghlan and Baghlan-Kunduz highways – have been closed to traffic over the past two days after the Taliban militants attacked the northern and northeastern cities of Kunduz and Baghlan.
The Taliban’s attack on the city of Kunduz was repelled by Afghan forces but sources say that threats remain high on the outskirts of the city near the Kunduz-Takhar and Baghlan-Kunduz highways.
The highways connect Kabul with the northern province of Balkh and northeastern provinces of Takhar and Badakhshan. Sources said that hundreds of passengers have been stranded on two sides of the highway.
TOLOnews reporter Sharif Amiry who is in Pul-e-Khumri city, the center of Baghlan, said Taliban militants were pushed back towards “Cement Khana” area on the outskirts of Pul-e-Khumri city.
The Ministry of Interior said in a statement that Afghan forces targeted the Taliban from three directions and pushed them back to Cement Khana area of Baghlan which is far from the center of the city.
“At least 21 Taliban were killed and 13 others were wounded while eight others were arrested in Baghlan clashes,” the statement said.
Baghlan hospital officials said eight people including four civilians were killed in the clashes and 40 others, including 28 civilians, were wounded.
TOLOnews reporter says some Baghlan residents have also taken arms to fight against the Taliban.
