Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Kunduz City Cleared of Militants, Situation Back to Normal: MoI

Kunduz City Cleared of Militants, Situation Back to Normal: MoI

KABUL - The Ministry of Interior (MoI) on Sunday said that the capital city of northern Kunduz province has been cleared of Taliban’s presence and the situation turn back to normal.
The militants stormed Kunduz City from several directions of Khanabad Port, Charkh Ab, Imam Sahib port, Seh Darak, Zarkharid and 3rd police district at 1:00 pm on Friday night.
The militants faced strong resistance from security forces and their attacks were repulsed.
The police chief of Kunduz province was wounded in a suicide that struck a main square in the capital. The blast occurred in Karkazi Chwak area at around 6:00pm.
The blast took place when security forces had gathered to defend the city from falling to the Taliban.
Nasrat Rahimi, spokesman for MoI, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Special Forces had launched clearing operation and purged the entire city from militants’ presence on Saturday evening.
He said the markets, shops reopened and the situation went back to normal. Information about casualties would be shared later on, he added.
Lt. Gen. Asadullah Khalid, acting Minister of Defense, told media persons on Saturday that nine security forces and 36 militants were killed. On the other hand civil hospital head told Pajhwok that eight civilian bodies and 60 injured had been brought to hospital.
Rahimullah, a resident of Kunduz City, said the situation turned to normal this morning but said electricity was still suspended and telecom services were yet to reactivate.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the fighters had captured dozens of check-posts, seized weapons and ammunition and inflected casualties on dozens of security forces.
He claimed they were still controlling the captured areas and their aim was to inflict casualties on security forces. He said seven rebels were killed and 11 others wounded in the fighting. (Pajhwok)