Taliban militants have shut down a health clinic in Afghanistan's Kandahar province, it was reported on Friday.

In a letter issued to the doctors and staff, the Taliban warned no one can enter the clinic in Arghistan district without permission, and violators would be punished, reports Xinhua news agency.

Major parts of the district is still under Taliban control since the past few years.

A local resident said the Taliban had closed down the clinic on the "grounds that male doctors working with women".

He that the Taliban did not allow unwell women to visit the clinic unless accompanied by a close relative.

To keep the government officials and security forces away from the district, the Taliban militants, according to locals, have planted landmines, besides bulldozing major roads and streets leading to provincial capital Kandahar city.

(IANS)