Taliban advancing on capital of northern Afghan province of Kunduz

Taliban militants have captured a key adjoining district as they advance on Kunduz, the capital of a northern Afghan province, said officials.

According to Dawn News, the Taliban advance has sparked fear among residents that the city may fall under the hands of the militants.

The Taliban launched their annual summer offensive in late April with a brazen assault in Kunduz province.

Chardarah district has fallen to Taliban after hours of fierce fighting wherein 12 soldiers lost their lives and17 have been injured, said Chardarah district chief Mohammad Yousuf Ayubi.

Residents said that the streets of Kunduz city were deserted, with shops closed and local administration officials deserting government buildings.