The local officials in northern Jawzjan confirm the Taliban militants have overrun the Khamab district after hours of heavy gun battle.

Provincial police chief Faqir Mohammad Jawzjani confirmed that the district was overrun at around 4am local time today.

Jawzjani further added that both the Taliban militants and the national defense and security forces personnel have suffered casualties during the clashes.

However, he said the exact number regarding the casualties inflicted on the security personnel and the Taliban militants have not been ascertained so far.

In the meantime, the security director of Jawzjan security commandment Abdul Hafiz Khashi said at least eight security personnel have lost their lives during the clashes and 3 others have sustained injuries.

He said the anti-government armed militants have also sustained heavy casualties during the clashes but the exact number is not known yet as heavy clashes are still underway in the district.

Jawzjan has been among the relatively calm provinces in North of Afghanistan but the security situation of the province has deteriorated during the recent years.

Both the Taliban and ISIS loyalists operate in some districts of the province and often carry out terrorist related activities.