KABUL - A military commander in northern Kunduz province said on Monday that security forces have made major gains in Dasht-e-Archi district following recent operations.

Hamid Saifi, the commander, said after the collapse of Kunduz city Taliban insurgents transferred most of the equipment seized from security forces to their base in Dasht-e-Archi.

He said that troops have now retaken control of the district center.

Saifi said the operation also tried to prevent insurgents from fleeing the area but due to a heavy presence of Taliban, getting in to the Dasht-e-Archi center was not easy for troops.

He said: "Through the efforts of the joint security forces we have retaken Dasht-e-Archi but the Taliban has fled the area."

CEO Abdullah Abdullah said during Monday's Council of Ministers meeting that the operation will continue until the elimination of all insurgents in that area.

"Afghan security forces' operations still continue in the Dasht-e-Archi area," he said.

According to intelligence reports at least 90 Taliban insurgents were killed during the operation.

Despite the Taliban having lost their key base, it is still proving difficult for troops to move forward in the remote area. (Tolonews)