Interior Ministry spokesman Najib Danish said that a counter-offensive operation was ongoing and the security forces were trying to bring the situation under control. ” There is no fear of collapsing of the city to the hands of the insurgents,” Danish said.
However, another official said that the Taliban captured several security checkpoints inside and around the city. ” The situation is tense. Most people are staying indoors. The streets are deserted. Gunfight, airstrikes and explosions are taking place around the city,” he said. Several security personnel, including provincial Deputy Police Chief Abdul Razaq, were injured during the fighting.
