The Taliban released 235 villagers in Afghanistan

The Taliban have released 235 villagers held since the insurgents seized control of an area in northern Sari Pul province five days ago.

Local authorities believe the capture of the area was jointly carried out by the Taliban and Islamic State militants. If confirmed, this will mark the first time the two rival militant groups have joined forces in battle.

Meanwhile, gunmen opened fire on a group of four female employees at Bagram Air Field, the main U.S. military base in the country, killing one and wounding a second woman, said Gen. Zaman Mamozai, the provincial police chief.

The attack took place on Wednesday afternoon near the U.S. base in Bagram district in Parwan province. Two of the four women escaped unhurt, added Mamozai.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the shooting. In June, Taliban insurgents gunned down six Afghan security guards of the base while they were on their way to work for night shift duty.