Taliban on Friday night attacked the capital of northeastern Kunduz province as the group’s political representatives are talking to American diplomats in Doha, Qatar to find a political solution for the 18-year war.
Gunmen of the group stormed the city from four directions, caught the Afghan security forces by surprise and captured some areas in its suburbs, while inflicting casualty on both Afghan forces and civilians.
As Taliban were making headways towards government headquarters, Afghan and foreign forces conducted some airstrikes on their ranks and reinforcements were dispatched which ostensibly prevented a complete fall of the city to Taliban.
Later on, Afghan ministers of defense and interior along with the commander of US forces in Afghanistan flew to Kunduz city and met local security officials.
A spokesperson for the ministry of interior, Nasrat Rahimi, said, Assadullah Khalid and Massoud Andarabi, had arrived in Kunduz to lead the clearance operation against the Taliban on the outskirts of the city of Kunduz.
Kunduz police spokesman Sayed Sarwar Hussaini told Pajhwok Afghan News the militants faced strong resistance from security forces.
“The clashes are underway but Special Forces have arrived in the areas and a major operation will be conducted soon to repulse the attacks,” he informed.
Sayed Amir Shah Sadat, the provincial intelligence director, said an airstrike targeted militants in Qahwa Khana area. At least 33 rebels were killed and their weapons and ammunition were also destroyed, he claimed.
Fardin, a resident of the area, said: “My brother took drinking water to Taliban as the airstrike targeted them.” He said his brother was also killed.
Fawad Aman, deputy spokesman for the Ministry of Defense, said another 32 insurgents surrendered to security forces in Kunduz. The Taliban also release a video that shows a number of security forces surrendering to the rebels.
Rohullah Ahmadzai, MoD spokesman, told a press conference that joint security forces had reached Kunduz City to control the situation.
He said the Taliban were attacking civilian homes and had taken hostage patients at a hospital.
Bashir, a resident of Kunduz city, said the Taliban conducted coordinated attacks in different areas. “Fierce clashes are underway, people are in fear and the government should control the situation.”
He said many people fled their homes and moved to other areas. On the other hand, all markets, bazaars, shops were closed, and telecom services were cut off.
The Taliban confirmed carrying out coordinated attacks. The group’s spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said attacks were still underway.
He claimed security forces sustained heavy casualties and the rebels captured several areas. He did not provide information about Taliban’s casualties.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior in a series of tweets said Afghan infantry and air forces were pounding the enemy in and around Kunduz city.
“Strong joint efforts by our trio forces are underway. We have a 100 percent ISR, CAS & infantry presence over and within the city,”
The MoI assured people that the city would be soon free of enemy fighters. “The city is under Afghan forces control. Clearance operation is underway to clear the city of the left enemy fighters.”
The ministry said precise and accurate support being provided by various support aircrafts. Police special units were clearing the city as army and NDS forces provided force protection.
