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Taliban assault Afghanistan's Kunduz city from three directions Taliban assault Afghanistan's Kunduz city from three directions
(about 1 hour later)
Taliban fighters are attacking Afghanistan's strategic city of Kunduz, assaulting it from three directions, police say. Hundreds of Taliban fighters have launched an attack on the strategic northern Afghan city of Kunduz.
The exact number of casualties is not clear, but media reports suggest that several people have been killed. Militants are attacking from several directions and are reported to have entered a hospital. There are casualties on both sides, police say.
It is the second time this year the militants have attempted to breach the provincial capital. Kunduz province has seen a number of attacks since April, with the Taliban joining forces with other insurgents.
It comes a day after a bomb attack on a sports match in the eastern Paktika province killed nine people. The assault comes a day after a bomb attack on a sports match in the eastern Paktika province killed nine people.
Kunduz police spokesman Sayed Sarwar Hussaini told journalists that the Taliban attacked the city from several directions in the early hours of Monday. Monday's attack in Kunduz appears to be one of the most significant mounted on a provincial capital by the Taliban, correspondents say.
"Heavy fighting is ongoing in Khanabad, Chardara and at Imam Sahed, the main entrances to the city," he told Reuters. "We have enough forces and will drive them out soon." Kunduz police spokesman Sayed Sarwar Hussaini told Reuters news agency: "Heavy fighting is ongoing in Khanabad, Chardara and at Imam Sahed, the main entrances to the city. We have enough forces and will drive them out."
There were conflicting reports on the number of casualties. He said that 20 militants had died in the clashes, with an unconfirmed number of casualties in the Afghan security forces.
Local officials told Tolo News agency that 21 people died in clashes with the Taliban, while 13 Taliban fighters were killed.
Meanwhile, police told AP that 20 militants had died.
Kunduz province contains major roads that connect central and northern Afghanistan, including a road to the capital Kabul.Kunduz province contains major roads that connect central and northern Afghanistan, including a road to the capital Kabul.
Correspondents say it also supplies half of Afghanistan's rice crop.Correspondents say it also supplies half of Afghanistan's rice crop.
Militant violence has increased across Afghanistan since the departure of most US and Nato forces last year.Militant violence has increased across Afghanistan since the departure of most US and Nato forces last year.
On Sunday, a bomb attack on a sports ground in Paktika left nine dead and dozens injured. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.On Sunday, a bomb attack on a sports ground in Paktika left nine dead and dozens injured. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Also on Sunday, 300 fighters allied to the so-called Islamic State attacked checkpoints in Nangarhar.Also on Sunday, 300 fighters allied to the so-called Islamic State attacked checkpoints in Nangarhar.
Two policemen were reported killed in the assault, while local officials said 60 militants were killed.Two policemen were reported killed in the assault, while local officials said 60 militants were killed.