SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, June 20 (Xinhua) -- The hardliner Islamic State (IS) group in an unprecedented move launched a massive offensive against security checkpoints in the strategically important Darzaba district of Afghanistan's Jawzjan province on Monday afternoon, district governor Baz Mohammad revealed Tuesday.
The offensive, which involved more than 600 fighters, has resulted in the overrun of several checkpoints.
According to the official, eight security checkpoints have been captured by the advancing group and so far 21 people including 13 militants loyal to the Islamic State (IS) group and eight police have been killed and 18 more including 15 IS fighters and three police sustained injuries.
Civilians including women and children have been hurt since eruption of the fighting Monday afternoon, Baz Mohammad said, adding the exact number of casualties has yet to be determined.
The situation, according to the district governor, is critical and the district would fall to the advancing militants if the government fails to send reinforcement.
Jawzjan province with Shiberghan as its capital 390 km north of Kabul has been the scene of IS activities over the past one year and the armed group has gripped parts of Darzab and adjoining areas after evicting Taliban militants and security forces.
Meantime, Jawzjan police chief Rahmatullah Turkistani, confirmed with Xinhua on Tuesday the fighting between security forces and IS fighters in Darzab district, saying supportive forces are ready for dispatching to Darzab and waiting for helicopters to shift them there to the war front.
However, local observers are of the view that the fall of Darzab district to IS would pave the way for the hardliner group to influence the neighboring Qush Tepa district along the border with Saripul and Faryab provinces.
IS militants who have already evicted the rival Taliban fighters and security forces from parts of Darzab district, according to local observers, would further expand its grips in the area.
