Some members of Kunduz provincial council said Taliban has built ‘main strongholds’ on the outskirts of Kunduz city and that the group has reached areas close to the center of the city in the past three days.

“The security forces launched an operation and cleared Talawka area (in the outskirts of Kunduz city) in 15 days. But unfortunately the militants captured the area in a few hours,” said Khosh Mohammad Nasiryar, member of the provincial council. 

Kunduz residents said they are concerned about the war on the outskirts of the city.

“Government should come and have a look at the situation closely,” said Hamza, a resident of Kunduz. 

“The war is ongoing for the past three days. Taliban has entered our house. We left our house but we left our goods there,” said Abdul Alim, another resident of the province.

However, Kunduz police chief Abdul Hamid Hamidi said security forces have repelled all Taliban attacks and that the group has suffered heavy losses in the battle.

“The militants do not have the ability to stand against the security forces who have gathered from different provinces,” he said.

Kunduz provincial council says Taliban has physical presence in many villages of Taloka area. 

According to the provincial council, Taliban has control over Shinwari and Naseriha villages in eastern parts of Kunduz city, the Omarkhail, Madrassa, Shna Tepa in south of the city, and Kanam, Hazrat Sultan, Mullah Sardar, Orta Blaqiha and Doblola villages in northern parts of Kunduz city. 

The war in the outskirts of Kunduz city erupted on Sunday when groups of Taliban fighters attacked government forces’ outposts in the outskirts of Kunduz city as well as in Ali Abad district along the Baghlan-Kunduz highway.

The Afghan army announced on Tuesday evening that they have cleared the Baghlan-Kunduz of militants.