At least 20 soldiers and policemen were killed in western Badghis province, Afghanistan as a result of the Taliban attack, AP reported.

According to a local official, the attack took place early Thursday, targeting the local government’s headquarters in the district of Bala.

The Taliban first stormed all the security posts around the compound. The attack put the lives of some 600 members of the security forces deployed there at risk, he added.

Intense fighting was still underway.