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.
South Korea presidential race rocked by court ruling, resignations
South Korea's top court cast doubt on Thursday on frontrunner Lee Jae-myung's eligibility to run for the presidency, while the resignations of the prime minister and finance minister shook the interim government in place since December's martial law.
White House national security adviser Waltz to leave post
US President Donald Trump's national security adviser Mike Waltz is being forced out of his job, four people briefed on the matter said on Thursday, in the first big shakeup of Trump's inner circle since he took office in January.
Ukraine, US sign minerals deal sought by Trump
Ukraine and the US have signed a deal heavily promoted by President Donald Trump that will give the US preferential access to new Ukrainian minerals deals and fund investment in Ukraine's reconstruction.
Wild weather in New Zealand disrupts flights, shutters schools
Schools were closed and flights cancelled as New Zealand's capital Wellington was hit by its strongest winds in over a decade on Thursday while a state of emergency was declared in parts of the South Island after 24 hours of heavy rain.
Looting of Gaza stores signals worsening hunger crisis
Increased looting of food stores and community kitchens in the Gaza Strip shows growing desperation as hunger spreads two months after Israel cut off supplies to the Palestinian territory, aid officials say.
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UAE President Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to the US to boost economic and technology ties including AI.
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