KABUL - In a question and answer session at the Meshrano Jirga (Upper House of Parliament) on Sunday, the deputy Afghan spy chief said poor leadership of Kunduz battle led the city to fall to the Taliban.

National Directorate of Security (NDS) deputy chief, Matin Baig, said the security forces are well equipped and able to defeat the enemies but the problem is in the leadership of the battle.

"Fall of Kunduz was a big shock to us, especially to the security forces," Baig said, noting that the security forces were able to defy the enemies that endanger national security.

The senators, meanwhile, criticized the acting defense minister, Masoom Stanekzai, for not appearing before the Meshrano Jirga over the Kunduz incident.

However the Interior Minister Noorulhaq Olomi, who was also present at the session, blamed the fall of Kunduz on widespread propaganda by the Taliban.

"From the war point of view, this is not a ground battle, rather it is an intelligence war," Olomi said.

But the deputy defense minister, Khalid Sarwary, said in turn that insufficient airstrikes on Kunduz was the reason behind the Taliban's capture of Kunduz city.

He called for more equipment and artillery for the security forces.

"I wish we had a debate ten years ago that when 130,000 foreign troops leave the country, with what weapons the Afghan forces must defend the country," Sarwary said.

The security officials were summoned to the Meshrano Jirga over the fall of Kunduz to the Taliban, which happened on Monday.

Parts of the city are however still under control of the Taliban after hundreds of armed insurgents stormed the city and over ran government facilities. (Tolonews)