PUL-E-KHUMRI, Afghanistan, July 8 (Xinhua) -- Four security police personnel have been confirmed dead and eight others injured after the Taliban insurgents attacked security checkpoints on Monday outside Pul-e-Khumri, the capital of Afghanistan's northern Baghlan province, deputy of the provincial council Shamsul Haq Barikzai said.

The militants' attacks, launched in the wee hours of Monday on security checkpoints in Bala Duri and Baba Nazar areas in the outskirts of Pul-e-Khumri, triggered gun battle during which four policemen were killed and eight others injured.

Police have confirmed the fighting but declined to provide more details.