KUDNUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Taliban militants captured the bazaar of Qala-i-Zal district of northern Kunduz province and were closing in on the district headquarters, the town’s police chief said on Wednesday.

The rebels advanced on the district bazaar amid an ongoing fierce clash with security forces, Col. Safiullah told Pajhwok Afghan News.

He said at least 200 militants attacked the district and captured some parts of the district centre.

Meanwhile, provincial police chief Gen. Mohammad Qasim Jangalbagh said the Taliban also attacked Dasht-i-Archi district, but security forces pushed them back, killing 10 fighters and injuring 15 others.

A statement from the 209th Shaheen Military Corps said the troops had killed 21 rebels and injured 25 others during “Operation Thunder” in Dasht-i-Archi, Khanabad, Chardara and Imam Sahib districts.

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