This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34377565
The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Taliban seize part of Afghanistan's Kunduz city | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Hundreds of Taliban fighters have seized parts of the strategic northern Afghan city of Kunduz, reports say. | |
There is fierce fighting after militants launched a surprise attack from several directions. There are casualties on both sides, police say. | |
Taliban fighters have taken government buildings in the city centre. | |
Monday's attack appears to be one of the most significant mounted on a provincial capital by the Taliban, correspondents say. | |
Government officials say that reinforcements have been sent to the city. | |
"The Taliban have taken over our neighbourhood... I can see their fighters all around," an AFP news agency journalist inside the city reported. | |
Kunduz province has seen a number of attacks since April, with the Taliban joining forces with other insurgents. | Kunduz province has seen a number of attacks since April, with the Taliban joining forces with other insurgents. |
The city is symbolically significant to the Taliban as it was their former northern stronghold before their government was overthrown in 2001. | |
The assault comes a day after a bomb attack on a sports match in eastern Paktika province killed nine people. | |
'Fighter selfies' | 'Fighter selfies' |
The Taliban said they had also entered a hospital in Kunduz, although local media reports say they only stayed briefly. | |
Pictures on social media appeared to show fighters taking selfies inside the hospital. | Pictures on social media appeared to show fighters taking selfies inside the hospital. |
The government claims to have killed at least 20 militants. | |
Kunduz province contains major roads that connect central and northern Afghanistan. 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 said it carried out that attack. | On Sunday, a bomb attack on a sports ground in Paktika left nine dead and dozens injured. No group has said it carried out that attack. |
Also on Sunday, 300 fighters allied to the so-called Islamic State attacked checkpoints in Nangarhar province. | |
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. |