KABUL, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Casualties were feared after Taliban gunmen stormed security checkpoints on outskirts of Farah city, capital of western Afghan province of Farah on Thursday, local 1TV News Afghanistan reported.

The fierce clashes between the security forces and the militants started roughly at 10:00 a.m. local time in Darwaza-i-Dehak locality, at the entrance of the city, according to the report.

The attackers were disguised in army uniform and they tried to advance towards the city in an apparently coordinated effort to seize control of areas in the outer side of the city, the report said, adding that "the security forces were trying to prevent militants from advancing."

Further details about the fighting remained unknown.

Afghan army and police have repulsed Taliban multi-pronged attacks against Farah city within the past months as the militants have been trying to capture the full control of the city.

The violence has been on the rise as Afghan security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by anti-government fighters since the drawdown of foreign forces within the past three years.