It has taken days but Afghan officials say government troops have recaptured much of the strategic northern city of Kunduz from the Taliban.<br /><br /> The counteroffensive was helped by US airstrikes and NATO special forces on the ground.<br /><br /> But it has proved difficult with insurgents battling to hold onto Kunduz, seized on Monday in their biggest victory since the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 toppled their regime.<br /><br /> The Taliban has denied the government is back in control, claiming the militants are resisting Afghan soldiers.<br /><br /> Heavy fighting is said to be continuing on the outskirts of the city but Afghan Interior Ministry Spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said Kunduz was now being cleared of insurgents.<br /><br /> AFG Special Security Forces now controls Kunduz City, it is retaken and being cleared from terrorists, heavy causality to the enemy— Sediq Sediqqi (@moispokesman) 30 Septembre 2015<br /> <br /><br /> Up to 200 Taliban fighters are reported dead. It is unclear how many civilians may have been caught in th
