2 security forces, 5 militants killed in N. Afghan clash

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SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, June 26, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – At least two security
forces and five Islamic State (IS) militants were killed during an ongoing
clash in Darzab district of northern Afghan province of Jawzjan, local police
said Tuesday.

“The clashes started late Monday night after dozens of IS militants
advanced towards the security forces’ checkpoints from outer sides of the
district as they tried to overrun district headquarters,” deputy provincial
police chief, Abdul Hafiz Khashi, told Xinhua.

The security forces fought back the attackers and sporadic clashes are
still ongoing as of Tuesday morning in the remote district, southwestern of
provincial capital Shiberghan city, the police official added.

Since earlier this year, the security forces have been clashing with IS
militants in Darzab and the clashes have forced thousands of villagers to
flee to safer areas in neighboring provinces.