No recurrence of Kunduz failure in other provinces: Stanikzai

KABUL (Pajhwok): Acting Defence Minister Masoom Stanikzai on Friday called the fall of Kunduz a tragedy and a bad experimentthat would not be allowed to unfold in other parts of the country.

Speaking to reporters here, he paid tributes to the security officials and said Afghanistan had been fighting a covert war, in which the enemy was aided by unknown sources.

On the night between Sunday and Monday, hundreds of Taliban gunmen stormed Kunduz City from various directions, capturing the strategic town after a few hours of clashes with security forces.

Earlier, Interior Ministry spokesmanSediq Siddiquitold Pajhwok Afghan News the security forces had launched a special operation on Wednesday night to drive militants from the city.

He said the security forces were able to take control of the entire city during the operation that continued until 3:30am. NATO forces also provided air support, Siddiqui added.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed the security forces had wrested back Kunduz City despite strong resistance from militants.

In a statement, the MoD claimed 150 insurgents had been killed and 90 others wounded in the offensive. The forces had reached Bala Hesar hilltop, pushing back the Taliban from Pul-i-Rahmat Khan area.

Interior Minister Noor-ul-Haq Ulumi, who was also present at the press conference, said the security forces had taken the control of Kunduz City. He spurned rumors that the government was too weak to retake the strategic province.

Rahmatullah Nabil, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) chief, said the government forces had been under immense pressure after security transition from foreign troops. The Afghans must convert challenges into opportunities to steer their country out of crisis, he stressed.

nh/mud