30 killed in Taleban attacks on checkpoints

A Taleban assault on two adjacent checkpoints in northern Afghanistan has left 30 soldiers and police officers dead.

Officials in Baghlan province said the insurgents set fire to the checkpoints after the attack late on Tuesday in the Baghlan-i Markazi district. Taleban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, which targeted a military checkpoint and another manned by police.

In a separate incident, Taleban attacks left four police officers in southern Zabul province dead.

Provincial police chief Mustafa Mayar said three officers were also injured when the Taleban attacked security posts in the Zabul capital of Qalat. He said a gun battle lasted several hours, during which the Taleban used artillery and heavy guns. The attack also left seven rebels dead and five others injured.

Meanwhile, Afghans emerged from their homes and some shops reopened in the eastern city of Ghazni, where the Taleban launched a co-ordinated offensive last Friday.