Qala-i-Zal district of Kunduz falls to Taliban

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): The Taliban captured the Qala-i-Zal district of northern Kunduz province early on Saturday after two days of heavy clashes, local officials said.

Asadullah Sadaat, a provincial council member, said the Taliban overran the district at around 10:00am. Three security posts were under siege from the insurgents.

Security forces managed to break the siege around two posts but the a third was being controlled by the militants, he said. It is not known how many security personnel man the post.

He said scores of families had been also displaced from the district as a result of the fighting.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid also claimed the district’s capture by the group’s fighters. He, however, did not give details of causalities.

But deputy police chief, Col. Safar Mohammad, rejected Taliban’s claim and said fierce clashes were underway in the district.

nh/mud