The US military has carried out an air strike on the northern Afghan city of Kunduz after it was captured by the Taliban.

US Army Colonel Brian Tribus, spokesman for the US and Nato missions in Afghanistan, said the strike early on Tuesday was conducted "in order to eliminate a threat to the force".

The city fell on Monday, with the Taliban overrunning government buildings and hoisting their flag in the city square.

Provincial police spokesman Sarwar Hussaini said Afghan forces have launched an operation on several fronts around Kunduz to try to retake the city.

Kunduz is the first city seized by the Taliban since their regime was overthrown in a US-led invasion in 2001. The city's fall comes as President Ashraf Ghani marks one year in office.

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