15 policemen killed in Afghan clashes

Kabul, Sep 17 Fifteen policemen have been killed in fierce clashes in two Afghan provinces, the authorities said on Monday.

In one attack, five police officers were killed after Taliban militants attacked a police base on the outskirts of Qala-e-Naw city, capital of Badghis province, an official told Xinhua news agency.

Several militants were also killed during the gun battle which occurred early Monday morning, but their number could not be exactly specified, the official said.

In Farah province bordering Iran, 10 police officers were killed after clashes flared up in Gajgin village of Pusht Rod district, on Sunday night.

The Taliban seized weapons and ammunition after attacking security checkpoints in the area before destroying the posts and two police officers went missing after the fighting, according to the official.