Taliban forces attacked the northern Afghan city of Kunduz on Saturday, setting off hours of gun battles, even as US negotiators move closer to finalising a deal with the insurgents for the withdrawal of American troops from the country.
Heavy fighting has gone on in Kunduz since the early hours of the morning after Taliban fighters attacked from several directions, forcing Afghan forces to rush in reinforcements to prevent the insurgents from gaining control of the city.
Electricity and most telephone services were cut, and residents were sheltering in their houses, making it difficult to gain a complete picture of the fighting.
At least three civilians were killed and 41 wounded were taken to hospitals, said Ehsanullah Fazli, head of the public health department in Kunduz city. "The city is completely empty, shops are locked, people aren't moving, and light and heavy weapons can be heard in several parts of the city," said local resident Khaluddin, who like many Afghans goes by a single name.
Government officials in Kunduz and Kabul said the Taliban were seeking shelter inside homes and some of the fighters had entered the main hospital in the city. The interior ministry said at least 36 Taliban insurgents were killed in ground and air operations in three areas of Kunduz city and clearance operations were underway.
An airstrike in Zakhil area killed 20 Taliban including two commanders, Afghan security officials said. Taliban spokesmen were not immediately available to confirm the casualty figures. "Security forces are repelling the Taliban attack on some parts of Kunduz city. Their top priority is to protect the civilians," said Sediq Sediqqi, a spokesman for the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani.