KABUL: Fighting in Afghanistan has further intensified as the Taliban militants have been mounting pressure on big cities and the government forces have been fighting back to foil the militants’ attempts to enter any city.

The Taliban group, which has reportedly captured some 200 districts since the start of the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces from Afghanistan early in May, has been fighting to capture major cities. In the latest move, the militants stormed Shiberghan city, the capital of northern Jawzjan province on Friday.

Since early morning fighting in Shiberghan city has been going on. The Taliban militants have gained ground and fighting is still continuing on the streets, according to sources who declined to be named.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed that the group’s fighters had captured police headquarters of Shiberghan city. However, a government official on the condition of anonymity has rejected Taliban spokesman’s claim, saying fighting continues in Shiberghan and the security forces have repulsed the militants from parts of the city.

The Taliban outfit has also been fighting to capture the western Herat city, southern Laskhar Gah, the neighboring Kandahar and northern Taluqan and neighboring Kunduz city.

More than 200 militants, according to security officials, have been killed in fighting for the control of the said cities over the past 24 hours, including nearly 100 in Lashkar Gah, 35 in Herat and over 70 in Shiberghan.

Mujahid has rejected the reports on casualties, saying the militants have been consolidating their positions elsewhere in the country.–Xinhua