Kunduz faces tough resurrection after brief Taliban takeover

Afghan National Police on duty at the central square in Kunduz City on Tuesday. The square became a symbolic focal point during fighting between the Taliban and Afghan security forces in recent weeks. (Andrew Quilty/For The Washington Post)

Kunduz citizens enter the governor's offices on Tuesday to gain an audience with Hamdullah Danishi, his staff or provincial councillors who also share the space. (Andrew Quilty/For The Washington Post)

By Sudarsan Raghavan-October 21

KUNDUZ, AFGHANISTAN — There were no computers, no projectors, no microscopes and no cameras inside the classrooms of Kunduz University. Outside, the school’s tractor and jeep were gone. Taliban fighters had stolen them all, fleeing with refrigerators and even doors ripped from their hinges.

“We worked hard for 13 years to collect all this equipment,” said Abdul Quduz Zarifi, the university’s president, seated near a classroom wall pierced with bullet holes. “All was gone in one week.”

Kunduz Faces Tough Resurrection After Brief Taliban Takeover by Thavam Ratna