Afghan official: Taliban fighters storm northern city with attacks from different directions

Smoke rises from a police station during clashes between Taliban fighters and Afghan security forces, in Kunduz city, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. An Afghan official said on Monday that hundreds of Taliban fighters launched an early morning attack on a strategic northern city, storming it from several directions. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Taliban fighters take their positions after occupying a police station for several hours, in Kunduz city, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. An Afghan official said on Monday that hundreds of Taliban fighters launched an early morning attack on a strategic northern city, storming it from several directions. (AP Photo) (The Associated Press)

Sediq Sediqi, spokesman for the Afghan interior ministry gives a press conference at the interior ministry in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Sept. 28, 2015. Hundreds of Taliban fighters have launched a new attack on Kunduz, a strategic northern city, storming it from several directions Afghan officials said. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the Kunduz attack on his Twitter account. Afghan officials say the Taliban have joined forces across northern Afghanistan with other regional insurgent groups as they have spread their fight against the government to the previously peaceful region. (AP Photo/Massoud Hossaini) (The Associated Press)

An Afghan official says hundreds of Taliban fighters have launched a new attack on a strategic northern city, storming it from several directions.

Sayed Sarwar Hussaini, the Kunduz provincial police chief's spokesman said Monday that the attack on the city started about 3 a.m. Battles with government forces are still underway in at least four locations, he says.

So far, about 20 insurgents have been killed with confirmed casualties among security forces but no figure, he says.

A tweet on a known Taliban Twitter account claimed responsibility. The tweet said all Kunduz city residents should remain indoors.

Kunduz province is on a strategic crossroads connecting the four points of Afghanistan. It has been the scene of intense insurgent attacks since April, with the Taliban joining forces with other insurgents.