HERAT- Hundreds of Taliban insurgents reportedly carried out a large-scale attack on Ghurian district in western Herat province on Tuesday night and took control of the area for more than two hours.

In that time, the Taliban was able to seize the offices of the police, governor and NDS. However, after heavy clashes with troops, security forces were able to retake the area, local officials said.

Insurgents did however torch a number of military posts and shops, officials said.

They said that six security force members were killed in the attack.

Gen. Mohammad Juma Adeel, Border Police Chief in western Afghanistan said that "the security forces regained control of the district from insurgents after about two hours of heavy fighting."

An MP from Herat said on condition of anonymity that insurgents also released prisoners from the jail in Ghurian and that the district governor was injured in the attack.

But local officials have not yet commented on this.

However, Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry said on his twitter account that security forces pushed back the insurgents and that 15 militants were killed in the operation.

He did not provide further details.

The Taliban has not yet commented about the attack. (Tolonews)