Afghan officials say the Taliban have targeted security checkpoints in northern Sari Pul province, killing at least seven members of the country's security forces.

Mohammad Noor Rahmani, head of the provincial council, says the insurgents also abducted two members of the force and left five wounded in the Sunday night attacks near the provincial capital.

The troops were in charge of providing security for fuel wells in the area.

Zabi Amani, the provincial governor's spokesman, says four Taliban fighters were killed in what he said was a gunbattle that lasted several hours.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but provincial officials blamed Taliban insurgents who are active in the province and have repeatedly targeted Afghan security forces.