Afghan human rights watchdog accuses Taliban of 'grave' violations during occupation of Kunduz

KABUL, Afghanistan – Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission says the Taliban committed grave violations during their brief occupation of a key northern city this month.

The commission says in a report released Saturday that crimes committed by the insurgents after they seized control of Kunduz on Sept. 28 included targeted and arbitrary killings, rape, using residents as human shields and hostage-taking.

The report says the insurgents also looted government offices, media outlets, police stations and compounds of non-government organizations including the United Nations.

The AIHRC says 100,000 Kunduz residents fled their homes due to the Taliban offensive. Many have not returned.

Afghan authorities say they are now largely in control of Kunduz after pushing the insurgents bac. They say life is returning to normal with roads open, enabling deliveries of food and medicine.