KABUL – The Taliban launched a wave of attacks in Afghanistan’s easternprovince of Ghazni, killing at least 14 police officers, including adistrict police chief and a reserve unit’s commander, Afghan officials saidon Tuesday.

Provincial council member Hassan Reza Yusoufi said seven of the officerswere killed in the district of Dih Yak, including Faizullah Toofan, thepolice chief, and reserve commander Haji Baraket. Another seven were killedin Jaghatu district.

The attacks started on Monday night and continued on Tuesday in Dih Yak,Jaghatu, Ajristan and Qarabagh districts, according to Arif Noori,spokesman for the provincial governor.

Noori said at least 12 other members of the security forces were wounded inthe attacks in Dih Yak and Jaghatu districts.ARTICLE CONTINUES AFTER AD

Taliban fighters stormed several checkpoints in Dih Yak and Jaghatu,setting off intense battles there, said Latifa Akbari, the head of theprovincial council in Ghazni.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attacksin a statement to the media. He claimed the Jaghatu district headquarterswas captured as well as several police checkpoints in Dih Yak.

The Taliban also issued a statement warning residents of the capital,Kabul, to avoid military and intelligence centers as they planned to targetthose as part of their spring offensive.