KABUL – Fighting has intensified in northern Afghanistan as 21 fightersfrom warring sides were killed in clashes between the government forces andTaliban militants in two northern provinces over the past two days.Taliban militants in an overnight attack on security checkpoints in Chamtaldistrict of Balkh province killed six police personnel and injured twoothers, a provincial council member Mohammad Saleh Muradi said Wednesday.Similarly, a clash between the government forces and the Taliban insurgentsin Shirin Tagab district of the restive Faryab province, which erupted onTuesday night and lasted until Wednesday morning, killed three securitypersonnel and five pro-government tribal militias called uprising people,member of Faryab provincial council Sibghatullah Silab said.Fighting between security forces and the Taliban outfit also killed sevenmilitants including a local commander Abu Talha and injured five others inGarziwan district of Faryab province on Tuesday, said an army statementreleased Wednesday.Taliban militants have also intensified activities in Jawzjan, Sari Pul,Kunduz, Baghlan, Samangan, Badakhshan and Takhar provinces over the pastmonths.Government forces, according to security officials, will continue to keeppressure on militants during freezing winter to weaken their abilities inAfghanistan.