Seven members of the Afghan National Army were killed and four more were wounded in an attack by the Taliban in Chimtal district, Balkh province, on Friday night, local officials said.

The army officials the clashes happened after armed Taliban attacked an army outpost in Lab-e-Nahr village in Chimtal district, said Mohammad Hanif Rezaee, spokesman for Afghan Army’s 209 Shaheen Corps. 

He said that five Taliban, including their designated deputy district governor for Balkh’s Chaharbolak district, were killed in the clashes.

The spokesman said that reinforcements have been sent to the area and the Taliban has been pushed back from the village. 

The Taliban has not commented on the casualties. 

This comes as violence remains high in the country despite efforts for peace.