Afghan Troops Retake Rebel-Held District

Government officials say Afghan troops retook control of a northern district from Taliban fighters after three days of fighting.

The rebels seized Chardara district in northern Kunduz Province on June 21 after fierce clashes, but authorities said on June 23 that they finally had managed to push the insurgents out.

Muhammad Omar Safi, the governor of Kunduz, said, "We succeeded in retaking the bulk of the district this morning."

Safi said that at least six soldiers, 85 militants, and one civilian were killed in the fighting.

On June 22, the Taliban captured Dasht-e-Archi district of Kunduz, which still appears to be under Taliban control.

In April, the insurgents launched a surprise attack on the provincial capital, also called Kunduz, and nearly captured it before Afghan forces fended them off.

The withdrawal of foreign forces and a reduction in U.S. air strikes have allowed Taliban fighters to launch several major attacks in important Afghan provinces.

Based on reporting by Reuters and dpa