Afghan troops have been forced to retreat to the provincial capital where they were so recently liberators, to regroup.

Khanabad district links Kunduz to Takhar and other northen provinces, which are now being infiltrated by the Taliban and seeing more fighting after being relatively peaceful for years.

The Afghans are now largely fighting the Taliban on their own, and five days ago lost a neighbouring district in Baghlan province, seizing government vehicles and ammunition.

Army officers say they resisted the attack as long as they could , but they were not reinforced, and ran out of ammunition. (Euronews)