Operation launched to free Afghan district

Security forces on Sunday launched an operation to free a district in Afghiantsan's Kunduz province seized by Taliban militants.

On Saturday evening, Taliban militants took control of Chardara district, following two days of heavy clashes, Xinhua news agency reported.

Unofficial sources said at least 12 soldiers and a young woman caught in cross-fire were killed while several security personnel were injured during the clashes.

The militants also tried to capture areas in the provincial capital of Kunduz city after attacking security checkpoints, but they failed to advance due to the heavy resistance from the security forces.