MEHTARLAM, Afghanistan, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- One Afghan Local Police (ALP) personnel and eight Taliban militants were killed and eight people wounded in a clash in Laghman, eastern Afghanistan on late Friday, the provincial government said on Saturday.
"The clash erupted in Alishing locality of Mehtarlam city, capital of Laghman province. Eight people, including five militants and three ALP personnel were also wounded during the exchange of fire," it said in a statement.
The government established the ALP, or community police, in 2010 to protect villages and districts around the country, where army and police have limited presence.
Among those injured was a local Taliban commander Janat Gul, the statement added.
Militancy and counter-militancy traditionally gets momentum in spring and summer commonly known as fighting season in Afghanistan.
Local observers believe that the militants would intensify activities in summer to gain more territory and defame the government ahead of winter and snowfall in the mountainous country.
