Surprise Taliban attack in Afghanistan leads to hundreds of deaths

The Taliban launched a surprise attack Friday on the city of Ghazni, between Kabul and Kandahar, and militants have been able to take control of some areas, holing up in mosques and houses.

Afghan officials said Monday that the Taliban killed at least 100 police and security forces and 20 to 30 civilians, while 200 Taliban fighters are dead. Ghazni is an important city on a major highway, and Afghan forces are on the offense, trying to get the militants out. Afghan officials told NPR they have been able to take back some parts of the city from the Taliban, and they plan on striking from all sides of the city.

There are about 270,000 people living in Ghazni, and the acting U.N. humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan said main access roads aren't safe, and people are unable to get casualties to the main hospital for treatment. Those who can get there, he added, are finding that medication is becoming scarce.

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