The northern city is under the control of Uzbek General Rashid Dostum. It fell to opposition forces on 9 November after several weeks of US airstrikes punched a hole through Taleban lines.
However, leading human rights groups have called for an inquiry into the suppression of a prisoners’ revolt at Qala-e-Jhangi fort near the city on 25 November.
Hundreds of Taleban prisoners were killed when the uprising was put down by Northern Alliance troops aided by US and British Special Forces.
The revolt started on 25 November when the mainly foreign Taleban prisoners turned on their guards.
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