Situation returns to normal on Kunduz City outskirts

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): One security personnel and 13 Taliban militants have been killed during fresh clashes in the capital of northern Kunduz province, an official said on Saturday.

Safiullah Mohammadi, 09 Special Forces commander, told Pajhwok Afghan News that Zar Kharid and Shurabi Qeshlaq areas of Kunduz City had been cleared of rebels during the operations.

“During the joint operation, 10 Taliban were killed in Zar Kharid and three in Qeshlaq area and the situation has returned to normalcy,” he said.

Fawzia Yaftali, the Provincial Council chief, said the situation in Kunduz City has improved now compared to the past but she complained about the slow-paced operation. “Fighting is underway on the outskirts of Kunduz City and people are terrified,” she said.

Humayon, a resident of Kunduz City, said: “Taliban emerge during night and the government comes out during day time. We ask the government to eliminate the Taliban so that people could move freely.”

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid rejected government’s claims and termed security forces operations in Kunduz as ‘a failure’.

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