Kabul, June 22 (IANS): A second district in Afghanistan’s northern province of Kunduz on Monday fell to the Taliban militants amid their recent advances in the area.

The militants made the new gain on Monday after they engaged in heavy clashes with local security forces, Khaama press reported.

The militants attacked the district of Dasht-i-Arche from four sides and took full control of it following intense fighting, Nasiruddin Saidi, governor of the provincial council, said adding that around 150,000 residents of the district cannot leave it now.

The militant group in a statement said they seized the district as well as ammunition and four tanks.

The development comes a day after the Taliban took the Chardara district of the province. The militants nearly captured the capital city of Kunduz Province, also called Kunduz, in a surprise attack in April only to be pushed back later by Afghan forces.

The US and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s war on terror.

The military offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity continues across the country despite the presence of thousands of US-led troops.