Over 2 dozen killed as clash erupts in Afghanistan's Kunduz province

More than two dozen fighters including 12 security personnel were confirmed dead as clash erupted outside Kunduz city, the capital of Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province on Monday, deputy to Provincial Council Safiullah Amiri said.

According to the official, the clash flared up after the Taliban insurgents stormed security checkpoints in Qazaq and Shinwari areas outside Kunduz city early morning triggering heavy fighting and so far 12 security personnel including army and police have been killed and 10 others injured.

Over a dozen militants have also been killed, the official said, but could not give an exact figure.

However, provincial government spokesman Esmatullah Muradi confirmed with Xinhua that 15 Taliban fighters were killed in the fighting.

He said the security forces would continue to chase the insurgents elsewhere in the province to maintain security.

Taliban militants who have intensified activities to overrun Kunduz city have yet to make comment.