At least nine Afghan forces and 19 public uprising forces members were killed in Taliban attacks in northern Balkh and Takhar provinces on Sunday night, local officials confirmed.

Mohammad Jawad Hijri, a spokesman for Takhar's governor, on Monday said that 19 public uprising forces were killed and five others were wounded in a Taliban attack in Khwaja Ghar district of the province on Sunday night.

The Taliban attacked the district and clashed with the public uprising forces, Hijiri said, adding that “the situation is now under control and reinforcements of Afghan forces have arrived.”

Local officials of Khwaja Ghar district criticized the provincial governor and National Directorate of Security (NDS) for the lack of forces in the district.

In the past month, at least 45 security forces were killed in Khwaja Ghar district, according to local officials.

Nine security forces were also killed and five others, including a child, were wounded in Sholgara district of Balkh on Sunday night, local police officials confirmed.

Three Taliban, including their commander Mawlawi Saifuddin, were also killed, according to police officials.
However, the Taliban have not yet commented on the attacks.