Taliban attack repulsed, 5 killed in N. Afghanistan

Taliban

KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, April 11 (Xinhua) -- A Taliban militants' attempt to gain ground outside Kunduz city, the capital of northern Kunduz province, has been foiled, provincial government spokesman Esmatullah Muradi said.

A group of Taliban militants, according to the official, stormed police checkpoints in Ibrahim Khil area outside Kunduz city Sunday morning, triggering a gun battle which lasted for a couple of hours, and the militants fled away after leaving three bodied behind.

Two policemen were also killed in the fighting, the official confirmed.

Four policemen and five militants were also injured in the gun battle, Muradi further said.

Provincial police spokesman Inamudin Rahmani also confirmed the fighting, saying both sides suffered casualties.