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Afghan forces prepare counter-attack on Taliban in Kunduz Afghan forces launch bid to retake Kunduz from Taliban
(36 minutes later)
Afghan forces have arrived at Kunduz airport in preparation for a counter-attack on the embattled city, which was seized by the Taliban on Monday. Afghan forces have begun an operation to retake the city of Kunduz, which was seized by the Taliban on Monday.
An operation would be launched in the coming hours, a spokesman for the Kunduz provincial police told the BBC. Security forces have cleared the area around the central prison and the police headquarters, police spokesman Sayed Sarwar Hossini said.
Troops and officials retreated to the airport after militants overran the northern city capturing buildings and freeing hundreds from jail. A day earlier, troops and officials retreated to the airport after militants overran the northern city and freed hundreds from jail.
The attack comes as President Ashraf Ghani completes one year in office. The attack came as President Ashraf Ghani completed a year in office.
It is one of the most significant militant assaults in years and will pile pressure on Mr Ghani's unity government - Kunduz is the first provincial capital seized by the Taliban since they lost power in the US-led invasion in 2001. It was one of the most significant militant assaults in years and will pile pressure on Mr Ghani's unity government - Kunduz is the first provincial capital seized by the Taliban since they lost power in the US-led invasion in 2001.
The BBC's Dawood Azami says that although the attack is one of the most serious security breaches since the start of the Taliban insurgency 14 years ago, their main challenge will now be to hold the city. But the BBC's Dawood Azami says their main challenge will now be to hold the city.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that fighters would make an advance on the airport too, but witnesses told BBC Afghan there was no sign of any such movement yet. There were few signs of fighting overnight and the city remained without power, BBC Afghan learned. There were few signs of fighting overnight and the city remained without power, BBC Afghan learned.
Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres‎ says it is treating more than 100 people wounded in heavy fighting and its facility in the city is now full.Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres‎ says it is treating more than 100 people wounded in heavy fighting and its facility in the city is now full.
Kunduz is strategically and symbolically important as it is both a transport hub for the north of the country and the Taliban's former northern stronghold, before their government was overthrown. Kunduz is strategically important as a transport hub for the north of the country.
The attack began at dawn on Monday as fighters fell upon the city from different directions. They captured key buildings and images posted on social media purported to show fighters hoisting Taliban flags across the city. The significance of Kunduz
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. The insurgents attack began at dawn on Monday as fighters fell upon the city from different directions. They captured key buildings and freed about 500 prisoners, including members of the Taliban, from the jail.
"After a few minutes the police escaped and the Taliban fighters opened all the cells and all the prisoners rushed out," he said, adding that he saw Taliban armed with small and heavy weapons in the streets outside. Taliban overrun Kunduz - in pictures
Electricity and phone networks went down across the city and eventually officials and troops retreated to the airport. Dozens of civilians who fled to the airport were reportedly turned away by security forces.Electricity and phone networks went down across the city and eventually officials and troops retreated to the airport. Dozens of civilians who fled to the airport were reportedly turned away by security forces.
Defending the military's performance on Monday, the Afghan army's Deputy Chief of Staff, Murad Ali Murad, suggested government forces withdrew to avoid civilian casualties.Defending the military's performance on Monday, the Afghan army's Deputy Chief of Staff, Murad Ali Murad, suggested government forces withdrew to avoid civilian casualties.
"Our forces arrived there on time, but we had to take extra care not to cause civilian casualties," he said."Our forces arrived there on time, but we had to take extra care not to cause civilian casualties," he said.
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.
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.
The few thousand Nato troops that remain are mostly just training and advising Afghan forces, although US drones still target militant leaders.The few thousand Nato troops that remain are mostly just training and advising Afghan forces, although US drones still target militant leaders.
Are you in Kunduz? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you in Kunduz? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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