Amid persistent siege of the provincial capital of northern Kunduz city by the Taliban militants, the NATO special forces have been deployed in the area to support the Afghan national security forces in retaking the control of the city.
A Western military source speaking on the condition of anonymity told AFP that the forces are comprised of US, British and German troops.
The officials further added at least three airstrikes have been carried out by the US military since Tuesday.
Heavy clashes are still underway near the airport and Bala Hesar area in Kunduz city which are still under the control of the Afghan security forces.
A Taliban offensive on airport was also pushed back late on Tuesday night after the coalition forces carried out an airstrike in the vicinity of the airport.
Taliban group’s shadow governor for northern Kunduz province Maulavi Salam was killed in the airstrike along with deputy and a member of Lashkar-e-Taiba who was identified as Haris and was hailing from Punjab province of Afghanistan.
The Afghan Intelligence – National Directorate of Security (NDS) said the airstrike was carried out in the vicinity of the airport.
At least 30 people mostly civilians have been killed and over 200 others have been wounded as the fierce clashes continue in the third day of the Taliban attack, the Ministry of Public Health said Wednesday.
