Afghan security forces have launched a clearing operation in Qala-e-Naw, capital of Badghis province, on Wednesday afternoon, provincial governor Hasamuddin Shams said. 

The Taliban has been “pushed back from several parts of the city,” said Shams, adding that “security forces are advancing.” 

“I assure you that all our security forces, including the special forces, are defending the city of Qala-e-Naw. The enemy is now engaging us in a number of parts of the city. They (the Taliban) suffered both casualties and a defeat,” he said. 

In the meantime, First Vice President Amrullah Saleh in a post on his Facebook page assured the people that local officials are taking a stand in the fight against the Taliban. 

Previously, Abdul Aziz Aybak, head of the provincial council, said that the Taliban had attacked several parts of Qala-e-Naw. 

“Clashes are ongoing close to police HQ and at an army base in the city,” he said. 

Footage released on social media indicated that the Taliban had reached the prison and was releasing the prisoners in Qala-e-Naw. 

However, local officials have not yet commented on this. 

Three districts of the province have fallen to the Taliban in the past few days, the security sources said. 

The Taliban has not yet commented about the fighting in Qala-e-Naw.