KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Eleven policemen and 10 Taliban militants were killed in clashes in Afghanistan's northern province of Kunduz during Wednesday night, a local official said Thursday.
"Militants waged an attack with assault rifles, machine guns and rocket propelled grenades on an Afghan National Police checkpoint in Posta-i-Godam in the western edge of Khan Abad district headquarters. The clashes claimed the lives of 11 policemen and 10 militants," district chief Hayyatullah Amiri told Xinhua.
The police personnel deployed at the check post responded and reinforcement arrived at the area early on Thursday, and carried out a pursuit operation for the attackers who fled the scene.
Local villagers said the militants seized a number of weapons and ammunition of the targeted checkpoint that provides security for a road, linking the provincial capital Kunduz city to neighboring Takhar province.
Zabiullah Mujahid, a purported Taliban spokesman, in contact with media has confirmed the fighting in Kunduz, saying insurgents also clashed with additional forces as they approach the area.
The province has for long been the scene of heavy clashes between Taliban and government security forces.
Taliban militants, who ruled the country before being ousted in late 2001, renewed armed insurgency, killing government troops as well as civilians.
They frequently attack district offices, military camps, installations and security checkpoints, while the Afghan military respond with airstrikes on militant targets in the countryside.
