Eight fighters including five militants and three army soldiers have been confirmed dead as clash broke out in Wardoj district of the northern Badakhshan province, Sanaullah Ruhani, the spokesman for provincial government said Tuesday.

The clash erupted after a group of Taliban insurgents launched coordinated offensives on security checkpoints on Monday night to overrun the restive district, triggering fierce fighting which lasted for hours.
Five militants and three soldiers were killed. Nine security personnel and seven insurgents were wounded in the firefight, the official further said.
Taliban militants who lost the troubled Wardoj district to government forces weeks ago haven't commented.