Afghan forces recapture key district from Taliban near Kunduz

Kabul, June 23: Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) on Tuesday recaptured a district in northern province of Kunduz which Taliban militants seized over the weekend, killing over 80 rebels, provincial government spokesman said.

"The Chardara district is under control of ANSF now. They started the operation in early hours of Tuesday and retook the control of district bazaar in addition to parts of the district centre where several government office buildings are located," spokesman Wodud Wahidi was quoted as saying.

Ongoing sporadic clashes reported from small pockets inside the district, around six km west of provincial capital Kunduz.
Army specialists were moving slowly as they were defusing dozens of roadside bombs and landmines left by the Taliban militants, the official said, adding: "More than 80 militants have been killed and several foreign fighters were among the killed rebels."

Taliban militants on Monday attacked the Afghan parliament in Kabul that left dozens injured. All of the assailants were killed. One civilian also died.

"Afghan army and police drove the Taliban back from Chardara district, which the insurgents had captured two days before," provincial police chief Abdul Saboor Nasrati was quoted as saying.

OneIndia News (With inputs from agency)