KABUL, Afghanistan — An Afghan official says the Taliban has laid siege to police outposts in southern Helmand province killing at least 12 police, several of whom were members of Afghanistan’s local police.

Attaullah Afghan, a member of the Helmand provincial council, said Saturday that Taliban attacked police outposts in the Nawa district overnight and fighting was ongoing. He said the death toll so far was 12 police killed and another 12 wounded.

In a statement, the Taliban said their fighters captured two security posts in Nawa district killing 25 local and national police. It was not immediately possible to independently confirm the conflicting reports, but the Taliban often exaggerate their gains.