About 20 Taliban militants were killed and eight others wounded when government forces repelled a militant attack on Aybak city, capital of Afghanistan’s northern province of Samangan on Sunday night.

The country’s Interior Ministry made the confirmation on Monday.

The ministry said in a statement that Taliban fighters fled surrounding areas of the city after casualties were inflicted.

The militants stormed the city from several directions, trying to take control of the city on Sunday night.

Earlier in the day, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on social media that the insurgents seized control of several areas in Aybak.

On Sunday night, the Taliban also attacked Pul-e-Khumri city, the capital of neighboring Baghlan province, triggering heavy battles, according to local sources.

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Many Afghan cities and about half of the country’s 34 provinces had been the scene of heavy battles and street fighting in recent weeks as Taliban militants continued their fighting against security forces.

The Taliban militants had taken control over three provincial capitals after heavy clashes in recent days.