At least 13 people, including five policemen, were killed on Sunday in a conflict between Taliban and the Afghan security forces in Samangan province, provincial Governor Khairullah Anosh said.
"A group of Taliban rebels raided police checkpoints in Dara-e- Sof Paen district in the wee hours of Sunday and the security forces returned fire which lasted for a while during which five police and eight insurgents were killed," Xinhua quoted Anosh as saying.
One policeman and nine insurgents were injured during the clash, the official added.
Taliban militants, who have intensified activities over the past couple of months, are yet to make comment.
