The Taliban launched their coordinated attacks on Kunduz City, the capital of Kunduz province, on Sunday night at around 2am, overrunning some areas around the city.

Eyewitnesses said the rebels had entered and seized Kunduz Civil Hospital, the Public Health Department and the Agriculture Department and Zakhil and Saydarak areas. The militants had assured doctors they would be not harmed.

A local resident Asadullah told Pajhwok Afghan News the Afghan air force aircrafts were currently attacking Taliban’s positions in Zakhil and Saydarak areas.

“Taliban hoisted their white flag in Zakhil area amid exchange of gunfire with Afghan forces from a close distance,” he said, adding that some militants had entered civilian homes using them as bastions to attack security forces. Some of the houses caught fire and families living inside might have suffered casualties.

However, provincial police spokesman Syed Sarwar Hussaini said Taliban militants had been pushed back and the bodies of 20 rebels killed by reinforcement personnel still laid on the ground.

He said five security personnel were wounded during the clashes and the situation was currently under control.

But a Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed the fighters carried out coordinated attacks from three sides into the city and were advancing. He said all security posts and police districts were under attacks and security forces were fleeing.

Kunduz Public Health Director Dr. Saad Mukhtar confirmed receiving bodies of two civilians and 34 wounded people including security personnel.