The Afghan government says security forces have begun a counterattack against Taliban fighters who captured the northern provincial capital of Kunduz.
"Fresh troops have arrived in Kunduz, and an operation has been launched," the Defense Ministry said on September 29.
The statement said government forces retook the city prison and the provincial police headquarters from Taliban fighters.
Troops and officials retreated to the Kunduz airport on September 28 following hours of clashes with militants, who overran government buildings and freed hundreds of prisoners.
The fall of the strategic city marked the first time in 14 years that the Taliban managed to seize a provincial headquarters.
Medical charity Doctors Without Borders said that it had treated more than 100 people wounded in heavy fighting and its facility in Kunduz is now full.