Part of Afghanistan's Badakhshan province claimed to be overrun by Taliban

FAIZABAD, AFGHANISTAN, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Taliban militants overrun the Arghanchkhaw district in AFGHANISTAN's northern Badakhshan province on Saturday, a member of the provincial council Mahboub Rahman Talat told Xinhua.

"The armed militants following 24 hours of fierce fighting overrun Arghanchkhaw district early Saturday," Talat said.

According to Talat, 12 security personnel were killed, six injured and five others arrested.

However, provincial officials in Faizabad, capital city of Badakhshan, told Xinhua that "fighting has been continuing" in the Arghanchkhaw district and the Taliban insurgents have suffered huge casualties. He didn't confirm whether the district had fallen to Taliban's hand or not.

Nevertheless, locals have confirmed the fall of the restive district to the Taliban fighters.

Meantime, Zabihullah Majahid who claims to speak for the Taliban outfit said they have overrun the Arghanchkhaw district, claiming several soldiers have been killed and injured.

Majahid added that three Taliban fighters had been killed and three others injured during the fight.

This is the third district in Badakhshan that has been fallen to the Taliban militants. The militant group established control over Yamgan and Wardoch districts a couple of years ago.