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Roundup: Taliban widens fronts as Afghan forces recapture Kunduz city

Xinhua, October 1, 2015 Adjust font size:

Amid Afghan government forces' efforts to evict Taliban militants from Kunduz provincial capital the Kunduz city, 250 km north of the national capital Kabul, the hardliner outfit has launched offensives in a few districts to reduce military pressure on their fighters in Kunduz city.

Government forces after three days of Taliban presence in Kunduz city launched counter-offensive late Wednesday night and recaptured the city early Thursday.

Meantime, the Taliban militants besides engaging government forces in Kunduz city, have attacked Imam Sahib and Qala-e-zal districts in Kunduz province, Khawja Ghar district in the neighboring Takhar, Wardoj district in Badakhshan and Tala-o- Barfak in Baghlan provinces.

Taliban in online statements has claimed capturing Tala-o- Barfak district in Baghlan, Khawja Ghar in Takhar, Qala-e-Zal and Imam Sahib districts in Kunduz province.

Officials, however, confirmed Taliban offensives in the said districts, but claimed defeating Taliban fighters.

Amanullah Ibrahimi, the police chief of Imam Sahib district, confirmed the fall of the district to the militants, saying the militants overran Imam Sahib Wednesday night but evacuated on Thursday following suffering huge casualties.

Takhar police chief Noor Mohammad Hakimi has confirmed Taliban offensive on Khawja Ghar district, but stressed that the insurgents have been defeated and dislodged from the district.

According to officials, Taliban militants have suffered casualties in the districts of Tala-o-Barfak, Qala-e-Zal and Wardoj districts.

Khak-e-Safid district in the western Farah province has also fallen to the Taliban militants, according to the armed outfit's website.

The government forces operations for recapturing Kunduz city backed by U.S. military aircrafts, according to Kunduz police spokesman, Sayed Sarwar Hussaini, begun at 11:00 p.m. local time Wednesday and recaptured the city at 05:00 a.m. local time Thursday.

Hundreds of Taliban militants, according to Hussaini, have been killed and scores others injured and captured during the operations, which are going on to ensure lasting peace in Kunduz city and adjoining areas.

Numerous civilians have also been killed in clashes for control of kunduz city, according to officials and locals.

Taliban militants, according to locals have offered stiff resistance and are fighting back to defend their grip in Kunduz city, the only provincial capital captured by the group over the past 14 years since its regime collapsed in late 2001. Endi