GARDEZ, Afghanistan, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- At least eight police were killed and four others wounded as Taliban militants intensified offensives in eastern Afghan province of Paktia, officials said Sunday.

The clash happened in remote Laji Mangal district of the province, where Gen. Raz Mohammad Mandozai, the provincial police chief, told Xinhua that the anti-government militants have intensified offensives on government military posts recently, killing eight security personnel and injuring some others late on Saturday.

According to the source, insurgents have also suffered heavy casualties and the district center was still under the government forces' control.

Sporadic clash was continuing in the district as of Sunday morning.

The Taliban have not commented on the report yet.

Earlier on Sunday, the Islamic State (IS) extremist group claimed a deadly suicide bombing against a Shiite mosque in provincial capital Gardez city which killed 39 people and injured more than 80 other worshippers on Friday.