KABUL – *A senior official in Balkh said four villages of Chamtal districtin the northern Balkh province were fallen to the Taliban following heavyclashes on Thursday evening.*

Taliban has reached close to Chamtal’s center, Afzal Hadid, head of BalkhProvincial Council, told TOLOnews on Friday.

He said the center of Chamtal is under threat and that the Taliban istrying to capture the district.

Balkh police spokesman Shir Jan Durrani meanwhile said heavy clashes areongoing between government forces and the Taliban in Chamtal district.

He did not confirm fall of the villages to the Taliban.

Durrani said two local police force members have been wounded in theconflict.

Chamtal residents said some families have left their homes due to securitythreats.

Chamtal is located in the west of Balkh. It is among vulnerable districtsof the province in terms of insecurity which often faces clashes betweengovernment forces and militants.

In a social media post, Taliban has claimed that the group has capturedareas in Chamtal district.