Afghanistan Times
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By Farhad Naibkhel-KABUL: The security forces have driven Taliban back and retaken the center of Kunduz city after the militants took over the city for a few hours, officials said Tuesday.
“Afghan forces recaptured the center of city back from Taliban during last night operations,” defense ministry spokesman Dawlat Waziri said.
He said that Taliban fighters are in some areas at the western and southwestern parts of the city, but clearance operations are on going against them.
Waziri added that clearance operations were carried out carefully because the militants were using people’s house as shields.
“The army will start second phase of the Operation Shafaq and Kunduz province will be on top of the agenda,” he insisted.
Seddiq Seddiqi, spokesman for the interior ministry, said that attacks against insurgents were going on in different parts of Kunduz city and the situation would change soon.
He said that 30 militants were killed in and around Kuduz city.
Seddiqi said that local people were fully backing Afghan forces in the province.
Taliban attacked the Kunduz city on Monday from four directions and overrun some parts of the city including the central square after hours of clashes on Monday evening.
Shortly, after the Taliban entered the city, additional forces were dispatched to the city and pushed back Taliban.
Afghan forces are battling Taliban for second day.
It is pertained to mention that around one year ago, the Taliban briefly overran Kunduz, the first city of a major strategic province for the first time after collapse of their regime in 2001.
