49 militants killed in clash in Afghan northern Kunduz province

Up to 49 Taliban militants were killed since the Taliban's launch of offensive around Kunduz provincial capital the Kunduz city on Friday, an army spokesman in the northern region Nasratullah Jamshidi said Saturday.

"The security forces have foiled Taliban attacks to overrun Kunduz city and the militants after leaving 49 bodies behind fled the area," Jamshidi told Xinhua.

According to Jamshidi, 53 more insurgents have been injured in the fighting.

The security forces have seized huge quantity of arms and ammunitions including four pieces of AK-47 assault rifles.

Taliban militants who captured Kunduz city for few days in last October, launched multi-pronged offensive on several districts of Kunduz and around provincial capital Kunduz city early Friday.

The militants in an online statement have claimed capturing several checkpoints and killing dozens of security personnel, a claim rebuffed by Jamshidi as baseless.

Jamshidi, however confirmed that fighting continues in parts of Kunduz province.

Source: XINHUA