At least 12 civilians were killed on Saturday in twin airstrikes on a Taliban base in the northeastern Afghan province of Kunduz, a provincial official said.

Defence ministry officials in Kabul, who said more than 40 Taliban fighters had been killed in the strikes, did not confirm any civilian casualties. The incident comes as the warring sides hold peace talks.

The Taliban accused Afghan forces of killing at least 40 civilians. The militant group did not comment on casualties among their fighters.