Gun battle kills 11 in Afghan northern Badakhshan province

Gun battle between security forces and Taliban militants in the northern Badakhshan province has left 11 people including eight militants and three police dead, a senior police officer in the northern region, General Shir Aziz Kamawal said Saturday.

"The clash flared up in Shiwa area of Arghanjkha district on Friday and lasted for hours during which eight Taliban rebels and three police personnel had been killed," Kamawal told Xinhua.

Nine more Taliban militants and two policemen sustained injuries during the fighting, the official added.

Taliban militants have fled the area and normally has returned to Shiwa locality, the official asserted.

Meantime, locals said that sporadic fighting has been continuing in the area since Friday.

Taliban purported spokesman Zabihullah Majahid in contact with media on Thursday claimed capturing Shiwa area after heavy fighting with government forces.

However, Kamawal rebuffed the Taliban claim, saying Shiwa and adjoining areas are in full control of security forces. Endit