KABUL – Heavy clashes are ongoing in Ajristan district of Ghazni provinceas Taliban reportedly advance on government forces, security sourcesconfirmed on Sunday.

Commandos were still on their way at 11.30am local time.

Sources said clashes between security forces and insurgents are underwayclose to the government compound and police headquarters.

They said Hamdullah, the district governor and the district policechief, Obaidullah, have been pushed to the northern part of the districtand are surrounded by Taliban insurgents.

In addition, telecommunication systems in the district are down, and theroad into the area is closed off by the Taliban.

Sources said the commandos are being deployed by air.

In the meantime, the Taliban claimed that they had taken control of thedistrict.

On Saturday, the district governor warned that if reinforcements were notsent to the district, it would collapse to the Taliban. He said at the timeall government employees in the district were under siege and that theTaliban were advancing.

The clashes started three days ago when dozens of armed Taliban attackedthe district.

“At least four government forces have been killed in the clash with theTaliban and ten others wounded,” officials said on Saturday.

Hamdullah warned that it would be tragic if the district collapsed.

This comes after 20 security force members were killed in heavy clasheswith the Taliban in two districts of central Ghazni province four days ago.