25 policemen killed in Afghanistan's northern Takhar province

TALUQAN, Afghanistan - Militants' attack on police checkpoints claimed the lives of 25 policemen including a senior officer in the northern Takhar province on Wednesday, provincial government spokesman Mohammad Jawad Hajari said.

"Clash between Taliban rebels and security forces claimed the lives of 25 policemen including senior police officer Raz Mohammad Dorandish in Masjid-i-Safid area outside provincial capital Taluqan city early Wednesday," Hajari told Xinhua.

At least 16 Taliban militants were also killed in the fighting that lasted for a while, the official said without providing more details.

In the meantime, some sources said they believe that the number of casualties could be higher than reported.

There has so far been no comment from the Taliban side.