Afghan forces pushed back an attack by the Taliban on Hazrat Sultan district in the central province of Samangan on Monday evening, the provincial police said, adding that the clashes continued for many hours and ended shortly after midnight. 

A spokesman for Samangan police, Munir Rahimi, said eight Taliban fighters were killed in the clashes. 

He said the Taliban faced resistance by the security forces shortly after they started their attack on the district – which is located along the key northern highway that connects Kabul with Balkh province. 

Taliban on Monday night claimed that they captured Hazrat Sultan district. 

The group has not commented on their casualties in the clashes.