Afghan Forces Recapture Key District of Northern Kunduz Province From Taliban

Afghan forces recaptured Khanabad district in the northern province of Kunduz from Taliban militants, according to local media.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) have retaken the country's strategic Khanabad district in the northern province of Kunduz from Taliban militants, local media reported Saturday.

The announcement comes after hours of clashes between the government forces and the militants ongoing since Saturday morning as the latter seized several key government compounds, the Khaama news agency said, citing its security sources.

The Taliban insurgents had to retreat after the Afghan forces launched an offensive to regain control over the district, the sources added.

There is no information about the casualties among the Afghan forces as well as Taliban militants. The insurgents have not commented on the situation so far, the media outlet noted.

The provincial capital, Kunduz, is one of the country's largest cities and has long served as a transport hub for northern Afghanistan. The Afghan forces are currently fighting against Taliban militants in 15 out of 34 country's provinces.

Afghanistan is experiencing significant political, social and security-related instability, as radical extremist organizations, including the Taliban, continue to stage attacks against civilian and state targets. The Taliban currently controls more territory than at any time since 2001, according to the United Nations.