MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Jan. 9 (Xinhua) -- At least 19 Afghan local police and members of allied pro-government tribal militias were killed after Taliban stormed security checkpoints in northern province of Balkh overnight, a provincial council official said Wednesday.

"Scores of militants stormed two Afghan Local Police (ALP) and allied pro-government tribal militias, known as local uprising groups in Timorak locality of Chahar Bolak district Tuesday night. The clashes caused 19 ALP and local militias killed," Sayyed Abdullah Masror told Xinhua.

Three persons were wounded and nine others went missing after the gunfight, the source said, adding the militants also seized weapons and ammunition of the post before setting on fire three armored military vehicles.

The government established the ALP, or community police, in 2010 to protect villages and districts around the country where army and police have limited presence.

General Mohammad Akram Saame, provincial police chief, when approached by Xinhua confirmed the clashes and the inflicted casualties on the side of security forces.

"Additional security forces have been dispatched to the area after the fighting and further details about the incident will be shared with media later in the day," he said.

The Afghan security forces' casualties have risen since the beginning of 2015 when Afghan soldiers and police assumed full responsibilities of security from the U.S. and NATO troops.

Nearly 50 Afghan security force members lost their lives and many others wounded during clashes in the country within the past several days. Enditem

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