(BNA):  Kaldar district of Balkh was cleared from armed Taliban in security forces operation. The operation was launched two days ago with the participation of hundreds of security and civilian forces and with the support of the country’s air force. Senior Balkh security official told BNA that after the clearing of Kaldar, more civilian and military forces were deployed in parts of it to prevent the Taliban from returning to the area. Atta Mohammad Noor, the former governor of Balkh and the leader of the Jamiat-e-Islami group, also took part in the battle with his supporters. He told reporters yesterday that the Taliban had tried to seize the port town of Hairatan by capturing Kaldar district, but failed. He said the Taliban had suffered heavy casualties in the military operation. Noor says he continues operations in other parts of Balkh alongside the security troops. Meanwhile, the four districts of Balkh are under the control of the Taliban. Senior military officials in the north say they will soon clear Balkh from armed Taliban with help of the People’s Force.