Clashes continue in Kunduz as more troops deployed

KUNDUZ (NNI): Clashes continued Monday in three parts of northern Kunduz province as more security forces were deployed to fight insurgents, the Provincial Governor Mohammad Omar Safi said on Monday.

Fighting is underway in Aliabad, Imam Sahib districts and Gor Tepa area in eight districts of the city. So far 40 insurgents have been killed and more than 20 injured, Safi said.

The six foreign militants who were killed in the attack come from the northwestern Faryab province, four of them were from Tajikistan and two were Chechens, according to officials.

“The government and the residents of Kunduz won’t let insurgents take control of this province. The security forces have high morals and we have our equipment,” he said.

The operation comes after Taliban insurgents attacked Imam Sahib, Qala-e-Zal districts and Gor Tepa on Saturday night and clashed with security forces.

However the battle in Qala-e-Zal has ended and the situation there is under control, according to officials.

Officials said that so far 12 Afghan security forces were killed and injured in the attack, but no further details about the casualties were provided.

There are reports that the Taliban insurgents have stolen a number of security force vehicles but officials have not confirmed this.

More than 1,800 families have been displaced following the attacks and moved to Kunduz city and other parts of the northern of Afghanistan, officials added.

Officials of the provincial council of Kunduz have also said that there are civilian casualties but details have not been disclosed.

It’s expected that on Monday top security officials will visit the province and launch a large-scale military operation. NNI