AFGHAN officials warned yesterday that a key province could fall to Taliban forces after dozens were killed in fierce battles across a number of the country’s northern provinces.

Government forces are struggling to cope with a resurgent Taliban and attacks from Isis jihadists, who have carried out a number of bombings, targeting polling stations and government buildings.

Intense fighting has seen key areas of the Jawzjan province lost after the collapse of diplomatic efforts and a number of ceasefires that were negotiated in an attempt to end the war between the Taliban and the Afghan government.

Yesterday’s fighting was the latest setback in the government’s fight against the Taliban, which killed 14 at a police checkpoint in Samangan province and stormed an army base in Kunduz, killing 15 soldiers.

The Sar-e Pul provincial governor warned that militants were gathering to the east, warning that "the centre will fall to the Taliban" if the government did not send more troops.