Taliban insurgents stormed a police headquarters Sunday in the capital of northern Baghlan province, and Afghan officials said an ongoing gun battle was taking place inside.

The attack began with a large explosion outside the security headquarters, said provincial council head Safder Mohsini. He said police have taken casualties but was unable to provide an exact figure.

A Talban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack, saying a suicide bomber had used a Humvee packed with explosives.

The provincial governor's spokesman, Mahmood Haqmal, confirmed Sunday's attack on the police headquarters.

The Taliban carry out near-daily attacks on Afghan forces even as peace efforts have accelerated to find an end to Afghanistan's nearly 18-year war.