Afghan officials on Friday said that the Taliban have targeted a police checkpoint in the central Daikundi province, killing at least 10 policemen in Afghanistan.
The provincial governor, Anwar Rahmati, also said that 15 policemen were wounded in Friday's attack in the district of Patu. He said that the insurgents also suffered casualties.
However, provincial councilman Ghayrat Jawaheri gave a higher death toll, saying 13 policemen were killed. The different tolls couldn't immediately be reconciled.
Taliban spokesman Qari Yusouf Ahmadi claimed responsibility for the attack.
The Taliban now effectively control half the country. The insurgents have been meeting with US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad since late last year for talks on finding a peaceful resolution to the nearly 18-year war.
The Taliban refuse to negotiate directly with the Kabul government, considering it a US puppet.