At least ten security force members were killed in a clash with Taliban in southern Zabul province on Monday morning, provincial council head Atta Jan Haqbayan said on Tuesday.

In addition, 12 other security force members were wounded in the clashes.

The clashes started early Monday after the Taliban attacked the center of Atghar district in the province, Haqbayan said, adding that “ten army (soldiers) and policemen were killed in the attack and 12 others were wounded.”

However, security sources said that 15 security forces members were killed in the attack and 18 others were wounded.

They also said “if reinforcements are not sent to the district, Atghar will fall to the Taliban.”

Atghar is a remote district in the province and borders with southern Kandahar province.