Afghan forces have begun an operation to retake the city of Kunduz, which was seized by the Taliban on Monday.

Security forces have cleared the area around the central prison and the police headquarters, police spokesman Sayed Sarwar Hossini said.

A day earlier, troops and officials retreated to the airport after militants overran the northern city and freed hundreds from jail.

The attack came as President Ashraf Ghani completed a year in office.

It was one of the most significant militant assaults in years and will pile pressure on Mr Ghani's unity government - Kunduz is the first provincial capital seized by the Taliban since they lost power in the US-led invasion in 2001.

But the BBC's Dawood Azami says their main challenge will now be to hold the city.

(BBC)