Seven killed in Afghanistan clashes

At least seven people were killed in a clash in Afghanistan's Paktika province on Saturday, deputy provincial governor Attaullah Fazli said.

Two Afghan local police (ALP) personnel and five insurgents were killed when the militants attacked a security checkpoint in Urgun district, Xinhua quoted Attaullah Fazli as saying.

The Taliban have intensified attacks over the past months as the militant group tries to take territory and consolidate its positions ahead of winter in the conflict-torn country.