39 Taliban militants killed in clashes, airstrikes in Afghanistan's Kunduz city

Kabul: At least 39 Taliban militants were killed in clashes and airstrikes in embattled Afghanistan's Kunduz city, authorities said on Wednesday.

Sporadic clashes occurred across the city on Wednesday morning, while the security forces engaged with the militants in southern and eastern parts to force them to retreat to outer sides of the Kunduz city, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The cleaning operation is going on in Kunduz city and surrounding areas by joint Afghan security forces. Some 17 militants were killed inside the city and 22 others were killed after army's airpower struck Taliban positions in several strategic locations in outskirts of the city," the Defence Ministry said in a statement, adding 27 militants were wounded as a result of the clashes and air raids.

On Monday, the Taliban launched coordinated attacks and took positions in residential houses and buildings in the city, triggering fierce clashes with the security forces.

The Kunduz province, bordering Tajikistan and neighbouring Baghlan and Takhar provinces, has witnessed heavy clashes over the past couple of months as Taliban has been trying to challenge the government forces in the once relatively peaceful region.