KABUL – Atleast 22 soldiers have been killed in heavy clashes with theTaliban in two districts of central Ghazni province, members of theprovincial council confirmed on Wednesday.

In addition, five other security force members have been wounded, TOLO Newshas reported.

The clashes started on Tuesday night after dozens of Taliban insurgentsattacked Zana Khan and Jaghato districts of the province, a member of theprovincial council Hussain Reza Yousufi said.

He claimed that 13 security forces, mostly police, were killed in Zana Khanand nine police were killed in Jaghato, adding that “heavy clashes arestill ongoing in the district since last night and the Taliban insurgentshave also suffered heavy casualties.”

Police officials have confirmed the clashes in the districts and said that“three policemen were killed, and four others were wounded in Zana Khandistrict.”

However, the officials did not provide further details about the clashesnor casualties in Jaghato district.

The Taliban has also confirmed the clashes with the government forces inthe districts.

Yousufi said that the situation is “worrying”.