KABUL - President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani on Friday met elders from Kunduz and discussed with them the security situation in the embattled northern province.

The elders praised the security forces’ courageous response to the insurgent siege of Kunduz City, the provincial capital, a statement from the Presidential Palace in Kabul said.

Ahmad Zia Massoud, the president’s special advisor on reforms and good governance, Senator Mohammad Din Hamdard, Eng. Abdul Hadi Aimaq and other high-ranking officials were present on the occasion.

The elders assured the president of all-out support to the government forces and demanded the provincial security institutions be strengthened to deal with emergency situations.

In response, Ghani said the control Kunduz was in the hands of his government hand and the situation had been fully controlled. The ongoing operation would be expanded to other districts for durable peace in Kunduz, he promised.

He said Kunduz residents were patriotic and elders should not allow the enemy to gain influence among people.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence claimed 150 insurgents had been killed and 90 others wounded in the offensive. The forces had reached Bala Hesar hilltop, pushing back the Taliban from Pul-i-Rahmat Khan area. (Pajhwok)