MAZAR-E-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least eight militants have been confirmed dead as a clash erupted in Balkh district of the northern Balkh province on Tuesday, army spokesman in the northern region Mohammad Hanif Rezai said Wednesday.
The fighting, according to the official, flared up after the armed militants attacked security checkpoints in Palaspush area of the relatively restive province on Tuesday afternoon, triggering a gun battle, which lasted for a while, and the militants fled away after leaving eight bodies and two injured behind.
Without providing more details, the official said the security forces would continue to pursue militants elsewhere in the country.
Taliban militants who are active in parts of Balkh province with Mazar-e-Sharif as its capital 305 km north of Kabul have yet to make comments on the situation there.
