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Taliban attack: Afghan forces struggle to retake Kunduz Taliban attack: Afghan forces struggle to retake Kunduz
(about 1 hour later)
Heavy fighting is continuing in the Afghan city of Kunduz, one day after government forces launched an attack to reclaim it from the Taliban. Heavy fighting is continuing in the northern Afghan city of Kunduz, a day after government forces launched an attack to reclaim it from the Taliban.
Two US air strikes on Tuesday halted an attempt by insurgents to seize the airport, the army's stronghold.Two US air strikes on Tuesday halted an attempt by insurgents to seize the airport, the army's stronghold.
Afghanistan's spy agency says the strikes killed the Taliban leader in the province and his deputy, but the Taliban has denied this. Afghanistan's spy agency says the strikes killed the Taliban leader in the province and his deputy, but the Taliban have denied this.
The capture of Kunduz represents the militants' biggest victory since 2001.The capture of Kunduz represents the militants' biggest victory since 2001.
On Tuesday the United States acknowledged the seizure of Kunduz as a setback, but says it remains confident that Afghan security forces can re-take the northern city. Militant violence has increased across Afghanistan since the departure of most Western forces at the end of 2014.
Overnight there were clashes around the city, but it remains unclear just how much of it remains under government or Taliban control. On Tuesday the United States acknowledged the seizure of Kunduz as a setback, but said it remained confident that Afghan security forces could re-take the city.
An unspecified number of Nato special forces have now reached the city, reports say.
Overnight there were clashes around Kunduz, but it remains unclear just how much of it remains under government or Taliban control.
Read more on the battle for KunduzRead more on the battle for Kunduz
Why were militants posing for selfies?Why were militants posing for selfies?
The significance of Kunduz lies in its strategic location at the centre of drug-smuggling routesThe significance of Kunduz lies in its strategic location at the centre of drug-smuggling routes
Taliban overrun Kunduz Images of how the Taliban suddenly overwhelmed the cityTaliban overrun Kunduz Images of how the Taliban suddenly overwhelmed the city
Mullah Mansour's battle to be Taliban leader After all the disagreements, the Taliban says it has rallied around its new leaderMullah Mansour's battle to be Taliban leader After all the disagreements, the Taliban says it has rallied around its new leader
Who are the Taliban? A guide to the complexities and conflicts within the militant groupWho are the Taliban? A guide to the complexities and conflicts within the militant group
Sayed Sarwar Hussaini, a spokesman for Kunduz's police chief, told Reuters: "Hundreds of Taliban are killed and their dead bodies are on (the) streets." Sayed Sarwar Hussaini, a spokesman for Kunduz's police chief, told Reuters: "Hundreds of Taliban are killed and their dead bodies are on [the] streets."
There was no independent confirmation.
The Afghan defence ministry claimed the town's police headquarters and prison had been recaptured, after militants released hundreds of prisoners when they took the city on Monday.The Afghan defence ministry claimed the town's police headquarters and prison had been recaptured, after militants released hundreds of prisoners when they took the city on Monday.
But Taliban-released video showed militants in the town showing off seized tanks, armoured vehicles, police cars and Red Cross vans. But Taliban-released video featured militants in the town showing off seized tanks, armoured vehicles, police cars and Red Cross vans.
An eyewitness told the BBC that Taliban reinforcements had also arrived, with the situation too dangerous for locals to leave.An eyewitness told the BBC that Taliban reinforcements had also arrived, with the situation too dangerous for locals to leave.
Residents, nervous of both the Taliban and the possibility of street-fighting in the battle for the city, are largely staying indoors.Residents, nervous of both the Taliban and the possibility of street-fighting in the battle for the city, are largely staying indoors.
The Taliban's new leader, Mullah Akhtar Mansour, said the government should admit defeat.The Taliban's new leader, Mullah Akhtar Mansour, said the government should admit defeat.
President Ashraf Ghani, who completed his first year in office on Tuesday, said in a televised address that "progress" was being made recapturing Kunduz, but security forces had been hampered by the Taliban using civilians as human shields. President Ashraf Ghani, who completed his first year in office on Tuesday, said in a televised address that "progress" was being made in recapturing Kunduz, but security forces had been hampered by the Taliban using civilians as human shields.
"The Taliban have laid landmines and booby traps around Kunduz, slowing the movement of convoys of Afghan army reinforcements driving to the city," a security official told AFP news agency.
The assault on Monday was swift and took Afghan forces by surprise.The assault on Monday was swift and took Afghan forces by surprise.
As darkness fell, heavily armed fighters crossed fields to attack the city from multiple directions. They quickly overwhelmed several of the police checkpoints defending the perimeter of the town.As darkness fell, heavily armed fighters crossed fields to attack the city from multiple directions. They quickly overwhelmed several of the police checkpoints defending the perimeter of the town.
They then captured key buildings, freed about 500 prisoners from the city's jail and forced officials and troops to retreat to the airport.They then captured key buildings, freed about 500 prisoners from the city's jail and forced officials and troops to retreat to the 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.
Nato ended its combat mission in Afghanistan in December, withdrawing most of its troops, apart from a 13,000-strong residual force used for training and counter-terrorism operations.Nato ended its combat mission in Afghanistan in December, withdrawing most of its troops, apart from a 13,000-strong residual force used for training and counter-terrorism operations.
Militant violence has increased across Afghanistan since the departure of most Western forces.
Are you in Kunduz? Have you been affected by the violence in Afghanistan? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.Are you in Kunduz? Have you been affected by the violence in Afghanistan? Let us know about your experiences. Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your stories.
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