At least five security force members were killed and two others were wounded in clashes with the Taliban in the northern province of Balkh on Wednesday night, local officials said on Thursday.

The clashes took place in Dawlatabad district of the province after the Talban attacked the center of the district from several direction, said Munir Ahmad Farhad, a spokesman for provincial governor.

“The clashes lasted for more than two hours and the Taliban escaped from the area,” he said.

But security sources said that at least eight security force members were killed and 14 others were wounded in the attack.

However, the Taliban has not yet commented on the attack.