Members of public uprising forces are seen in Shiberghan, capital of Jawzjan Province, Afghanistan, Aug. 6, 2021. At least 40 militants have been killed and operations backed by fighting planes are going on to repel Taliban attack on Shiberghan on Friday, said an army statement released here. (Photo: Xinhua)

SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) - At least 40 militants have been killed and operations backed by fighting planes are going on to repel the Taliban attack on Shiberghan city, the capital of northern Jawzjan province on Friday, an army statement released here said.

"The security forces backed by fighting planes have killed 40 insurgents and captured 15 others in counter-offensive to repulse Taliban rebels attack on Shiberghan city today," the statement said.

"The Taliban rebels entered residential houses in Shiberghan city and have been using civilians as human shield," the statement said, adding government forces would continue to target the insurgents until the city is cleared of the militants.

Taliban militants, according to officials and residents of Shiberghan, entered the city on Friday morning and a gun battle has been continuing.

The Taliban outfit, which has intensified activities and overrun around 200 districts including some in Jawzjan and the neighboring Faryab province since early May, has been attempting to capture big cities including the western Herat, southern Lashkar Gah, northern Shiberghan and Maimana, the capital of Faryab province.

Photo taken on Aug. 6, 2021 shows smoke rising during gun fights in Shiberghan, capital of Jawzjan Province, Afghanistan. At least 40 militants have been killed and operations backed by fighting planes are going on to repel Taliban attack on Shiberghan on Friday, said an army statement released here. (Photo: Xinhua)