KABUL - Referring to recent incidents of insurgency in northern regions, First Vice President General Abdul Rashid Dostum on Friday reiterated that military campaigns against Taliban will remain in place until the group lays down its arms and surrenders to the peace process.

The Taliban fighters who have sought refuge in Jawzjan will also be dealt with, Dostum said.

TOLOnews correspondent Wali Arian who is embedded with troops in Khamab district of Jawzjan province has reported that the Afghan security forces have cleared the district from insurgents.

"We have regular contact with our Turkmenistan border forces, they have also certified their [Taliban] location, we will coordinate with them, they [Turkmens] have also moved on that side to attack them," Dostum said.

He went on to say: "We have also undertaken our own plans, you can see up to 100 heavy weapons deployed over there, they [Taliban] will be arrested. They will be arrested, if they resist, they will be eliminated."

According to security sources, major casualties were inflicted on the insurgents during the battles. However the security forces also sustained a number of casualties in landmine explosions planted by the Taliban in areas. (Tolonews)