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Taliban militants in attempt to capture Maimana city the capital of Faryab province, 425 km northwest of Kabul, have been foiled as the militants suffering casualties and leaving 23 bodies behind fled away, police said Monday.
"Hundreds of Taliban rebels launched massive offensive from three directions to capture Maimana city late Sunday night which triggered heavy fighting but security forces after hours of fighting back and killing 23 insurgents including Mawlawi Habib the shadowy governor of Taliban in Faryab province forced them to flee," provincial police chief Baryali Basharyar told Xinhua.
Another 17 more insurgents sustained injuries in the firefight which lasted for several hours, he added.
Security forces also seized a Taliban tank during the fighting, the official further said.
Meantime, police in Faryab's neighboring Jauzjan and Saripul provinces confirmed on Monday that militants loyal to Taliban outfit stormed some checkpoints in the said provinces.
Taliban militants, according to police statement released in Saripul province raided some police checkpoints in Saripul city, the capital of Saripul province, 350 km north of Kabul late Sunday but had been repulsed.
Deputy to Jauzjan governor, Abdul Rahman Mahmoudi in talks with media confirmed that the Taliban insurgents attacked police checkpoints in Qushtapa district early Monday but after losing two fighters fled the area.
Taliban's failure to capture Faryab provincial capital Maimana took place amid fighting between the armed insurgents and security forces for the control of Kunduz provincial capital the Kunduz city, 250 km north of Kabul.
Taliban militants captured major parts of Kunduz city last Monday but the government forces since launching counter-offensive on Thursday have evicted militants from major parts of Kunduz city and cleanup operations continue to ensure lasting peace in Kunduz city and adjoining areas, according to security officials in Kunduz city.
Taliban militants who have challenged the government forces by attacking districts in several provinces are yet to make comment.
