Taliban attack on checkpoints kills 13 police in S. Afghanistan

QALAT, Afghanistan, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Up to 13 policemen were killed and seven others wounded as the Taliban fighters attacked security checkpoints in Zabul province, south of Afghanistan on Monday, Hajji Atta Jan, head of provincial council said Tuesday.

"Taliban militants launched coordinated attacks on police checkpoints in Shahjoy districts of Zabul province, on Monday night, killing 13 policemen and injuring seven others," Jan told Xinhua.

Police have yet to confirm the report.

Meantime, Qari Yusuf Ahamdi who claims to speak for the Taliban outfit in contact with media, confirmed the clash and claimed that the militants besides inflicting casualties on security personnel had also captured six checkpoints in the restive Shahjoy district.