3 insurgents, policeman killed in N. Afghan clashes: official

TALUQAN, Afghanistan, Dec. 12 (Xinhua) -- At least three insurgents and a police officer were killed after Taliban militants attacked security checkpoints in Takhar province, north of Afghanistan overnight, a local official said Tuesday.

"A group of Taliban militants attacked security checkpoints in Dasht-e-Qala and neighboring Khoja Ghar districts Monday night. The Afghan National Police (ANP) members repelled the attack. But one police officers and three militants were killed after the clashes," Abdul Khalil Asir, the provincial police spokesman, told Xinhua.

Two policemen were missing after the fighting but the security forces have launched a search operation in the surrounding areas, he added.

Zabiullah Mujahid, a purported Taliban spokesman, claimed responsibility, saying three security checkpoints were captured by Taliban militants, and two policemen were arrested by Taliban forces.

Fighting has escalated in Afghanistan as the Taliban insurgency spreads from its traditional strongholds in the south and east to the once peaceful region in the north, where Taliban have been recruiting from among the youth. Enditem