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Taliban Launch Fierce Assault on Afghan City Kunduz

© REUTERS / StringerAfghan soldiers keep watch during a battle with the Taliban in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan September 28, 2015
Afghan soldiers keep watch during a battle with the Taliban in Kunduz Province, Afghanistan September 28, 2015 - Sputnik International
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Armed fighters attacked government controlled Kunduz on Monday, their second attempt to take control of the strategically important Afghan city this year.

Afghan national army stand guard near the dead body of a Taliban attacker in front of the main prison building after an attack in Ghazni province, eastern Afghanistan, Monday, Sept. 14, 2015 - Sputnik International
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Armed Taliban fighters entered the city of Kunduz in northern Afghanistan in the early hours of Monday, leading to fierce clashes with government security forces.

According to reports, shortly after launching the raid in the early hours of Monday morning the Taliban had taken control of several roads in the city, and surrounded some police stations in the city.

Taliban spokesmen also claimed to have control of a hospital and some government buildings.

There were conflicting reports about the number of casualties. The Tolo news agency reported that 21 people had been killed, and 47 injured, but that fierce fighting prevented many more people from receiving medical attention.

The Pajhwok news agency reported that at least four residents of the city were killed as a result of artillery and gunfire clashes.

A spokesman for Kunduz police expressed confidence that government could repel the attack and said that 20 Taliban fighters were killed and three police officers wounded.

"Right now heavy fighting is ongoing in Khanabad, Chardara and at Imam Saheb, the main entrances to the city," stated Sayed Sarwar Hussaini. "We have enough forces and will drive them out soon."

The Taliban last attempted a full-scale assault on Kunduz in April, following the withdrawal of most foreign troops. The strategically important city is the capital of Kunduz province, through which major roads pass connecting central and northern Afghanistan, and a main road to the capital, Kabul. 

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