Taliban fighters free hundreds of inmates after major assault on Afghan city
Militants capture half of Kunduz City in one of the most serious security breaches in 14 years of war
Taliban insurgents broke into the main prison in Afghanistan’s northern city of Kunduz on Monday, freeing hundreds of fellow Islamist fighters hours after militants captured much of the city, two security officials said.
Armed with rocket-propelled grenades, Taliban militants overwhelmed security guards at the jail in Kunduz city centre, according to two officials.
Government reinforcements were on their way to try to prevent the city from falling entirely to the Taliban, according to Abdullah Danishy, the provincial deputy governor, who spoke from the city airport after fleeing his office.
The assault, one of the most serious security breaches in 14 years of war, was the second time this year that the hardline Islamist movement has besieged Kunduz city, defended by Afghan forces battling largely without Nato’s support after it withdrew most of its troops last year.
The insurgents launched a three-sided surprise offensive at around dawn, and by mid-afternoon they had hoisted their white flag over Kunduz’s main square, about 200 metres from the governor’s compound.
The witness also said battles were raging in two districts close to the governor’s compound.
