(dpa/NAN) Afghan security forces recaptured the centre of Qala-e Zal, a large district in Afghanistan’s north-eastern province of Kunduz, that was overrun by the Taliban 10 days ago, an official said on Tuesday.
Special forces launched operations to retake the district’s capital of Aqtepa early Tuesday, Mahfozullah Akbari, a police spokesman in Kunduz, told dpa.
“They took control of the district governor’s compound, police headquarters and the main bazaar in Aqtepa, now they are pushing the Taliban further back,” Akbari said.
However, provincial council member Sayed Sadat said the fighting for the main market was ongoing.
Afghan forces were not able to enter the buildings retaken as the Taliban had planted mines in the compounds.
Qala-e-Zal district centre fell to the Taliban on May 7, following the launch of the insurgents’ spring offensive on April 28.
According to Akbari, both sides suffered casualties, but exact figures were not available.
The Taliban control vast areas across Kunduz province.
The government often only controls the district centres.
The militant group’s aim is to fully capture the province, including the continuously attacked provincial capital Kunduz city.
