KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The latest developments as Afghan government troops push into the northern city of Kunduz, which was captured by the Taliban earlier this week, forcing the insurgents to retreat (all times local).

8:35 a.m.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid is claiming that the northern Afghan city of Kunduz is still in the hands of the insurgents and that "the Taliban flag is still flying" over the city.

Mujahid says that "life in Kunduz is normal" — an apparent attempt to refute government claims that Afghan forces retook control of much of Kunduz on Thursday. His remarks were posted on his Twitter account.

The Afghan forces pushed into the city in a joint military and police operation overnight.

Earlier in the morning, Mujahid had sent a text message to The Associated Press, saying that "the United States, with their puppets, have been bombing Kunduz city. Government forces have received heavy casualties."

8:05 a.m.

Kunduz residents say that street fighting is ongoing in various parts of the city and that they can hear sporadic shooting outside.

Zabihullah, a resident who lives close to the main Kunduz square and who like many Afghan men uses only one name, says that "fighting is intensifying."

He says the "situation is really critical and getting worse, and I've just heard a huge explosion from a bomb near my house."

Zabihullah spoke to The Associated Press over the phone on Thursday morning.

Earlier, Sediq Sediqqi, the Interior Ministry spokesman, said an operation "to clear the city is ongoing" and could take some days.

He told the AP that a joint army and police operation was launched late Wednesday and after the push into Kunduz overnight, the "city was taken by 3.30 a.m." on Thursday.

—Lynne O'Donnell in Kabul, Afghanistan.