Afghan officials have blamed the Taliban for attacking their security checkpoints in northern Sari Pul province, leaving at least seven members of their forces dead.
The insurgents also abducted two members of the force and left five wounded, officials said, adding that four Taliban fighters were killed in the gun battle.
The troops were in charge of providing security for fuel wells in the area.
The Taliban is yet to claim responsibility for Sunday's attacks.
Colombian President vows reconstruction fund as quake death toll hits 265
Colombia's President Abelardo De La Espriella has vowed on Wednesday to set up an emergency fund to help rebuild hospitals, schools, homes, and infrastructure destroyed by Monday's earthquake, which killed 265 and left nearly 500 people unaccounted for.
Trump says press secretary Leavitt to leave job at month's end
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt will leave her role at the end of the month, US President Donald Trump has announced on Wednesday, leaving the president without one of his most trusted advisers ahead of November's midterm elections.
Russia's Putin visits Japan-claimed islands for first time; Tokyo protests
Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Iturup, a Japan-claimed island at the end of the Kuril chain near the island of Hokkaido, Russian media said on Thursday, a day after major naval drills and a missile firing by ally North Korea.
Meta takes down 756,000 Australian teen accounts as ban enforcement looms
Facebook and Instagram owner Meta has announced on Thursday it had taken down more than 750,000 accounts it suspected were held by Australians aged under 16 since a world-first ban on teen accounts, and promised more action.
Spain rejects discussing sovereignty of enclaves with Morocco
The status of the North African enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla as Spanish territories is not up for discussion, Spanish officials have said on Wednesday, after Morocco's justice minister reiterated Rabat's sovereignty claims over the cities.
The month-long Dubai Fitness Challenge that transforms the Emirate into a city-wide gym will return for its 10th edition.
UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has held talks with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa during his fraternal visit to the UAE.
A two-lane, 500m bridge linking Dubai World Trade Centre and One Central buildings to Al Mustaqbal Street-Za’abeel Palace Street intersection will open on Friday, cutting travel time from 10 minutes to 2 minutes.
