Afghan forces dislodge Taliban from district: official

The Afghan security forces retook control of Qala-e-Zal district of northern Kunduz province, after clashes with Taliban militants on Tuesday, the district governor said.

"Afghan National Security Forces launched an operation early Tuesday and evict the militants from district center. As of now, no casualties were reported on the site of security forces and civilians but several militants were killed and injured during the clashes," Governor Mabubullah Sayydi told Xinhua.

On May 6, the militants overran the district after days of clashes forcing the troops to retreat to outer sides of the district bordering Tajikistan.

Clashes have been continuing around the district as cordon and search operations were going on in parts of the district, the governor added.

The Kunduz province, as well as neighboring Baghlan and Takhar provinces, has been the scene of heavy clashes over the past couple of months as Taliban has been trying to challenge the government forces in the once relatively peaceful region.

The Kunduz clashes have caused hundreds of families to flee their houses and find safer places in the province, 250 km north of Afghan capital of Kabul.

Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since late last month when the militant group launched its annual rebel offensive in different places of the country.

The militant group has yet to make comments. Endit