Two army commanders on Sunday said the Taliban made multiple combined attacks overnight attempting to break key defense areas in the northern city of Pul-e-Khumri, but their attempts failed as they faced resistance by security forces.

One of these attacks in the Block Ha area in Pul-e-Khumri continued for three hours, commando forces said. 

“Their attacks continued last night, but we resisted and there is no issue and we have enough equipment and personnel,” said Imam Hassan, an army commander in Baghlan. 

However, residents pay the highest price as many of them have been displaced. One resident of the city, Mohammad Azim, said his home has changed into a stronghold, and he has lost assets and his cousin was killed.

“The Taliban came from one direction, and I went to the roof and told them to allow me to leave and then they can do anything here. They told me that they will not do anything. They told me that tanks will come, I said they will not fire. I asked them not to open fire. But they opened fire and I escaped with my nephew but he was martyred,” Azim said. 

Some public uprising forces who have gone to Pul-e-Khumri city from Narin district in Baghlan said they have been stationed in the Band-e-Do area to prevent the Taliban from entering the northern city. 

“This is the frontline. The Taliban are on the other side of those gardens that have been connected to the Dand-e-Shahabuddin area,” said Imam, commander of public uprising forces in Nahrin district. 

Another resident of the city, Mohammad Aziz, a young man, who looks after his home alone and has sent his family members to a safe place, had a story similar to Azim's.

“People have left. These homes have been turned into strongholds,” Aziz said. 

The Taliban started their offensives on Pul-e-Khumri 10 days ago and so far clashes are underway on the outskirts of the city while the key highway that connects Kabul with the north has remained closed to traffic during this time.