MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least eight police personnel and three militants loyal to Taliban have been killed in clashes between the Afghan forces and militants in two Afghan provinces, officials said Tuesday.

Two Afghan Local Police (ALP) officers and at least three Taliban militants were killed and three militants wounded when Taliban fighters attacked house of an ALP officer in Dasht-e-Qala district in Takhar province, Mohammad Jawad Hejri, a provincial government spokesman, told Xinhua.

While in Chimtal district of neighboring Balkh province, militants attacked a security post, 500 meters from the district police station Monday night, leaving ALP policemen and a National Police officer dead and five others wounded, Chimtal district chief Matin Khawjazada told Xinhua.

Taliban fighters fled the scene with no casualties after the attack, said the official.

Taliban militants, who ruled the country before being ousted in late 2001, renewed armed insurgency in recent years killing government troops as well as civilians.

Violence has escalated in the previously peaceful northern region over the past few years as Afghan security forces push against the militants in the south and east regions.