Gun battle leaves some 2 dozen insurgents dead or injured in N Afghanistan

KABUL, Aug. 13 -- Clash flared up between police and Taliban

insurgents in Achin district of Kunduz province north Afghan province have left

nearly two dozen rebels dead or injured, provincial police chief Mohammad Razaq

Yaqubi said Thursday.

"The clash erupted late Wednesday night when the insurgents raided police

checkpoint and police encountered, killing nine insurgents," Yaqubi told Xinhua.

He also added that sporadic fighting has been continuing, during which 14

other rebels have been wounded.

Two policemen have lost their lives and three others sustained injuries in

the firefight, the police official further said.

Taliban militants have vowed to speed up attack and derail the Aug. 20

presidential election in the post-Taliban country.