KABUL – A *madrassa in Dasht-e-Archi in Kunduz province was targeted atabout 11am on Monday in an Afghan air forces’ airstrike, officialsconfirmed.*

According to residents, over 200 people were gathered at the madrassa atthe time of the airstrike.

Provincial police confirmed the incident and said a high-ranking Talibanofficial Mullah Beryani, had also been present at the time of the airstrike.

Officials confirm over 25 people were killed and wounded but residents saythe casualty toll is much higher.

Two years ago extra security forces were deployed to Dasht-e-Archi districtin Kunduz to clear the area of Taliban, but heavy clashes have been ongoing.

TOLOnews journalist Tamim Hamid recently visited the area and found thecontinued clashes have forced hundreds of families to flee the area.

Local security officials in Dasht-e-Archi told Hamid they have been unableto regain control of the area as Taliban are equipped with modern weaponsand a large number of Taliban commanders are stationed there.

Security officials also said the Taliban has five large training centers inthe area.

“Dasht-e-Archi is a very strong center for the insurgents. They havetraining centers in a few places where their fighters receive training formilitary, tactical, weapons use, planting of mines and other things,” saidNiaz Mohammad, the district police chief.