Afghan president sacks security officials over fall of Kunduz

Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani speaks during a news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan September 29, 2015. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail

KUNDUZ, Afghanistan (Reuters) - Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Thursday dismissed national security agency officials who he said had neglected their duty to defend the northern city of Kunduz, which Taliban militants briefly captured in September.

The Taliban's seizure of the city was a major setback for the government, and prompted Washington to prolong the 14-year-old U.S. military engagement in Afghanistan.