12 militants, 2 police officers killed in N. Afghanistan

MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Oct. 14 (Xinhua) -- A total of 14 fighters including 12 Taliban insurgents and two police personnel have been killed elsewhere in the northern Balkh province over the past 24 hours, a police spokesman in the northern region Sayed Sarwar Hussaini said Sunday.

The clashes, according to the official, flared up in Chamtal and Charbolak districts since Saturday after the Taliban fighters launched coordinated offensives on security checkpoints.

Ten militants and one police constable have been injured, the official added.

Taliban militants who have intensified anti-government activities since late April haven't commented on the report.