*KABUL – Afghan Taliban fighters have taken over control of the mostimportant and strategic city of Afghanistan.*

*Taliban attacked Ghazni city in central Afghanistan early on Friday,burning police checkpoints, shelling houses and business areas and seizingcontrol of parts of the city, officials said.*

US attack helicopters and drone aircraft provided government forces withair support. But as smoke rose across the city and witnesses reportedbodies lying in the streets, and it was unclear how much of Ghazni wasunder government control.

Ghazni police chief General Farid Ahmad Mashal said the Taliban had seizedseveral parts of the city, which has been under threat for months withheavy fighting in surrounding districts.

A statement from US military headquarters in Kabul said fighting had ceasedby 8am (0330 GMT) and Afghan forces had held their ground and maintainedcontrol of all government centers.

“US forces responded with close-air support (US attack helicopters) andconducted one strike (drone). In addition, US aircraft conducted a show ofpresence,” Lt Col Martin O’Donnell, spokesperson for US Forces-Afghanistansaid in an emailed statement.

However, the attack on a strategic city straddling the main route betweenthe capital Kabul and southern Afghanistan demonstrated the Taliban’sstrength just days before a possible ceasefire during this month’s Eidal-Adha holiday.