The council said in a statement that the Taliban violated human rights “by attacking civilians in Balkhab.”

The Shia clerics’ council asked the two sides of the conflict to prevent any harm to civilians.

Mawlawi Zarif Muzaffair was a key Tajik governor of the Taliban that cut his ties with the group in June.

India says it will continue its longstanding links with Afghan society and its development partnership.

At least 100 female employees of media outlets in Kunduz have lost their jobs following the fall of the previous.

Sources said the Taliban has stationed nearly 3,000 soldiers in Balkhab and its surroundings to suppress commander Mahdi.

Muzaffari served as Sar-e-Pul governor and commander of Taliban corps in Herat after the fall of Kabul.

Sources said Qari Waqas has three villages under his control and at least 300 armed men under his command.

Almost all the victims of the incident are the residents of Barmal and Gayan districts of Paktika.

The quake was also felt in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, and across the northern part of Pakistan.