The Taliban is using residential areas as cover in their ongoing battle with the Afghan security forces, Army officials in northern Baghlan province have said.

Several days of fighting between the Afghan security forces and the Taliban have damaged many houses.

The Army officials said the security forces have dealt a major blow to the resurgent group over the past days since intense fighting started.

Reports from the front indicate that fierce fighting is currently underway between the two sides in Baghlan-e-Markazi district.

Security forces are still trying to break the siege on two check posts held by the Taliban.

“The military operation is underway, we managed to breach the front line of the enemy and clear Joye Kohna village from insurgents. One enemy fighter was killed and six others wounded during the battle and another suspect was arrested. We also confiscated one mortar,” said Latif Khan, commander of the second army regiment at 209 Shaheen Army Corps.

A wounded Taliban fighter was arrested during the battles.

According to the reports, the Afghan army’s choppers are supporting ground forces in their campaign against the Taliban.

However, the Taliban does not seem to be evacuating the area and the Afghan security forces are continuing to secure their grip on the volatile region and push the insurgents out.

“You can see that our attacks from air and ground are going on. A massive toll has been inflicted on the enemy and their commander was also eliminated. Our soldiers’ morale is very high,” said Shuaor Gul, an Afghan National Army (ANA) in Baghlan.

Army officials in Baghlan have said that the operation will continue untill the insurgents have been eliminated.