Taliban seizes key city of Kunduz, two more provincial capitals overrun in Afghanistan

Taliban fighters overran three provincial capitals including the strategic northeastern city of Kunduz on Sunday, local officials sa

As war between Afghanistan and Taliban escalated, the insurgents captured three more regional capitals as they continue to make sweeping territorial gains in the country.

In a lightning offensive that appears to have overwhelmed government forces, the group has seized five provincial capitals in Afghanistan since Friday.

Except for the military base and Kunduz’s airport, the insurgents have taken control of all the govt buildings with their flag of truce flying at the central roundabout of the town, the capital of the northern province with the same name.

“Heavy clashes started yesterday [Saturday] afternoon, all government headquarters are on top of things of the Taliban, only the military base and therefore the airport is with ANDSF (Afghan National Defense and Security Forces) from where they're resisting the Taliban,” Amrudddin Wali, a provincial lawmaker of Kunduz assembly was quoted by a Times of India report.

It means five regional capitals have fallen to the militants since Friday, with Kunduz being their most vital gain this year.

Health officials in Kunduz said 14 bodies, including those of girls and youngsters, and quite 30 injured people are taken to hospital.

A spokesman for the group warned against further US intervention in Afghanistan while chatting with Al Jazeera TV on Sunday.

Taliban's actions are criticised by the western powers also as by people that are against the violence. Protests have been held in many cities across the world, in which people have sought United Nations' intervention and denounced Pakistan for supporting the insurgent group.

The Taliban, meanwhile, said that all parts of the city of Kunduz were under its control, adding that it had also seized armoured vehicles, weapons and military equipment.

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