The U.S. military also is investigating reports that as many as 30 civilians were killed in an airstrike on Thursday in Badghisprovince in northwest Afghanistan.
The opposition forces further claim to have seized the strategic town of Pul-e-Khumri, north of Kabul, and the town of Qala-e-Nau in the western province of Badghis.
Meanwhile, in northwestern Afghan province of Badghis, Afghan forces killed 15 Taliban fighters and arrested two others on Saturday during a gun battle in an operation in the Ghormaach district, Army Col.