Clashes between the security forces and the Taliban over a lapis lazuli mine in the Kuran Wa Munjan district of Badakhshan province continued for the third day on Saturday.

Badakhshan police spokesperson Sanaullah Rohani said that the Taliban had attacked the mine first.

Reinforcements had been sent to the area and the clashes had continued, with casualties reported on both sides.
Rohani said that information on the conflict was limited due to telecommunication networks not working properly in the district.
He said that the Taliban wanted to seize the mine but were prevented by the security forces. With the back-up forces reaching soon, the situation may change in favour of the government forces.