At least 24 killed in checkpoint clashes in 2 Afghan provinces

KABUL–About 24 people, including 14 police officers, were killed and several others wounded after Taliban militants attacked police checkpoints in two Afghan provinces overnight, local officials said on Friday. 

In one incident, nine police officers, including a district police chief, were killed and six police wounded after Taliban militants stormed police checkpoints on outskirts of Ghazni city, capital of eastern Ghazni province, local police told Xinhua. 

Several militants were also killed and wounded and sporadic clashes were still ongoing, the police said. 
In northern Badakhshan province, five security forces, two civilians and eight Taliban militants were killed after clashes erupted in Arghanjkhaw district, eastern of provincial capital Faizabad, Hadi Jamal, a press officer of army's Division 20 Pamir, told Xinhua. 

"Militant's armed with guns and rocket propelled grenade attacked police checkpoints in surrounding areas of district. The security forces fought back the attackers, who tried to capture the district administrative complex," Jamal said. 
Further details about the incidents are still forthcoming amid the absence of any official statement. Enditem 
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