Afghan Taliban attack: Fears for civilians in Kunduz

Rights groups have expressed concern for the large numbers of civilians trapped in the Afghan city of Kunduz, amid fierce fighting between the Taliban and government troops.

The government has accused the Taliban of raping and killing civilians after it seized the northern city this week. The Taliban rejected the accusations.

Both sides are claiming to be in control of much of the city.

Kunduz was the first major urban centre to fall to the Taliban in 14 years.

‘Mass murder’

Local residents say they are trapped in their homes and are running out of supplies.

“We are facing a shortage of food and water, and cannot go out as we are afraid of being shot at by both sides,” one resident, who did not want to be named, told the BBC’s Afghan service.

The International Committee of the Red Cross says it is “increasingly concerned” by the shortage of medical supplies and personnel.

Meanwhile, rights group Amnesty International that said the Taliban was behind “mass murder, gang rapes and house-to-house searches” in Kunduz.