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Taliban seize half of Afghanistan's Kunduz city, police say Taliban 'seize half' of Afghanistan's Kunduz city
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of Taliban fighters have stormed the strategic northern Afghan city of Kunduz, seizing control of half of it, police say.Hundreds of Taliban fighters have stormed the strategic northern Afghan city of Kunduz, seizing control of half of it, police say.
Militants have occupied some government buildings, including a prison, and heavy fighting is continuing.Militants have occupied some government buildings, including a prison, and heavy fighting is continuing.
One report said the Taliban had raised their flag in the city centre. Witnesses report the Taliban flag has been raised in the city centre.
The government said at least 25 militants and two Afghan policemen had been killed and that reinforcements had been sent to the city. If the city falls, it would be the first provincial capital to be taken by the Taliban since they lost power following the US-led invasion in 2001.
Monday's attack appears to be one of the most significant mounted on a provincial capital by the Taliban, correspondents say. Kunduz is strategically important and acts as a transport hub for the north of the country.
It also has symbolic significance for the Taliban as it was their former northern stronghold before their government was overthrown 14 years ago.
The government admitted that it had lost control of parts of the city. It said at least 25 militants and two Afghan policemen had been killed and that reinforcements had been sent to the city.
Kunduz police spokesman Sayed Sarwar Husaini told the BBC's Mahfouz Zubaide that militants had captured the jail in Kunduz and freed about 500 prisoners, including members of the Taliban.Kunduz police spokesman Sayed Sarwar Husaini told the BBC's Mahfouz Zubaide that militants had captured the jail in Kunduz and freed about 500 prisoners, including members of the Taliban.
Many government officials are trying to flee via the city's heavily fortified airport.
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.
Reports said the Taliban attacked the city from three sides at about dawn. A witness told Reuters news agency that by mid-afternoon they had raised their white flag in the city's main square, about 200m (218 yards) from the governor's compound.Reports said the Taliban attacked the city from three sides at about dawn. A witness told Reuters news agency that by mid-afternoon they had raised their white flag in the city's main square, about 200m (218 yards) from the governor's compound.
Battles were raging in two districts close to the compound, the witness said.Battles were raging in two districts close to the compound, the witness said.
"The Taliban have taken over our neighbourhood... I can see their fighters all around," an AFP news agency journalist inside the city reported."The Taliban have taken over our neighbourhood... I can see their fighters all around," an AFP news agency journalist inside the city reported.
The city is symbolically significant to the Taliban as it was their former northern stronghold before their government was overthrown in 2001. Analysis: Dawood Azami, BBC World Service
The assault comes a day after a bomb attack on a sports match in eastern Paktika province killed nine people. This attack is one of the most serious security breaches since the start of the Taliban insurgency 14 years ago. But the Taliban's main challenge will now be to hold the city.
'Fighter selfies' Kunduz has a huge strategic significance as it is considered a gateway to Afghanistan's northern provinces and shares a border with Tajikistan, Afghanistan's Central Asian neighbour.
The Taliban said they had also entered a hospital in Kunduz, although local media reports say they only stayed briefly. The Taliban already control huge chunks of the province's rural areas, where the majority of the population live. The insurgents have intensified their fighting in the province over the past two years.
Pictures on social media appeared to show fighters taking selfies inside the hospital. They are the dominant militant group in the province, with an estimated 2,000 fighters. But there are also reportedly hundreds of foreign fighters associated with al-Qaeda, so-called Islamic State and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU).
Kunduz province contains major roads that connect central and northern Afghanistan. Correspondents say it also supplies half of Afghanistan's rice crop. The Afghan security forces are stretched thin as they deal with multiple attacks all over the country.
Bad governance in Kunduz is also a key problem. Incompetence and intimidation by some local officials have alienated many in the province.
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.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.