As intra-Afghan negotiations between the Taliban and the Afghan government goes on in Doha, Qatar, reports indicated over 40 members of the Afghan security forces were killed in the last 24 hours in the country.

Kunduz, Kandahar, Baghlan, and Nimruz saw heavy fighting between the Taliban and the Afghan security forces. Fightings in Baghlan province threatens highway access to the north, a member of the provincial council said on Tuesday. 

Most casualties were reported from northern Kunduz province where intense fighting has been going on for the last two days. Quoting the Afghan Ministry of Defence, TOLOnews said security forces made major advances against the Taliban in the province.

The ministry said around 40 Taliban were killed in fighting in Kunduz. Darsh-e-Arshi and Imam Sahib districts reported intense clashes in the last two days.  “There is war every moment,” Mohammad Daud, a resident of Imam Sahib district, was quoted as saying by TOLOnews.

Another resident Gulbuddin fears the district will fall if the government doesn’t take enough action.

Key commanders of the Taliban have been eliminated in operations undertaken by the Afghan security forces, Fawad Aman, the deputy spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense said.

In Kandahar, the Taliban mounted several offensives in the provincial center. “They wanted to take over the province,” Farid Mashal, the head of the security department of Kandahar Police said on Tuesday.  US forces earlier conducted several strikes in the province.