Taliban militants have captured the Qaisar district of northern Faryab province after first detonating a car bomb, sources said.

Security sources said a car bomb was detonated on Saturday night in Qaisar district and that the Taliban then stormed district police headquarters.

According to a member of the Faryab Provincial Council, at least 14 members of the Afghan forces including Qaisar Police Chief Rahman Dehzad were killed and 38 others were captured by the Taliban following hours of clashes with the militants.

Abdul Ahad Elbek, a member of the provincial council stated: “Not only is the situation in Qaisar district [volatile] but also other districts [in Faryab] are in a bad situation.

On Saturday night 14 soldiers including the police chief were killed and 38 others were taken by the Taliban [as hostages].”

Meanwhile, the Taliban detonated an explosive-laden vehicle inside the government compound in the Balkh district of Balkh province on Sunday afternoon, sources said.

At least two soldiers were killed and 42 others were wounded in the blast, sources added.

The Taliban also claimed responsibility for the attack.

In another incident in central Ghor province, at least nine soldiers were killed and six others injured after an explosive-laden Humvee was detonated by Taliban insurgents in Shahrak district of the province, local officials told Ariana News.

People in the capital Kabul also witnessed a blast on Sunday morning.

Sources said, three people were wounded in an IED blast.