MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Taliban militants attacked Afghanistan's border town Hairatan in the northern Balkh province on Sunday but retreated after leaving seven bodies behind, police chief of the border town Shafi Faiz said.
"The Taliban rebels attacked the security checkpoints in Qazlaq area of Hairatan town early this morning, but they fled away after leaving seven bodies behind," Faiz told Xinhua.
The key border town connecting Afghanistan with the neighboring Uzbekistan has been regarded as the main trade gateway between the two nations.
Taliban militants, which have taken control of the Shir Khan border crossing in northern Kunduz province which connects Afghanistan with Tajikistan, are yet to make comment on the development.
Fighting has intensified since the start of withdrawal of the U.S.-led forces from Afghanistan and the Taliban group has reportedly captured more than 170 districts over the past two months.
Government forces have been trying to regain control of the lost districts and have recaptured nearly 20 districts over the past couple of weeks and military offensive on Taliban has been continuing to consolidate state control across the war-battered country. Enditem
