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attack on a security checkpoint in northern Kunduz province on Sunday night, the Ministry of Defense said on Monday.
The Taliban attacked a security checkpoint outside of Kunduz city and the festivities continued until 4:30 am Monday morning, local officials said.
However,
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local officials did not provide further details about the attack.
Other sources said that at least 14 soldiers were killed in the attack and two others were maimed.
The Taliban also clashed with the reinforcement forces in the area, sources added.
The Taliban has grabbed credit for the attack.
| An Nahar adds: |
"Unfortunately, five army soldiers were martyred and three wounded," the Afghan defence ministry said in a statement, adding that Taliban fighters also suffered casualties.
Enhamuddin Rahmani, a spokesman for Kunduz police, told AFP the fighting lasted several hours and both sides suffered casualties.
The Taliban's official spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed on Twitter that the militants had killed 19 security forces in the attack.
It is not clear when the reduction in violence will begin. A Taliban official has said it was imminent, and a US official said Friday it would begin "really soon".