Three soldiers were killed on Saturday in an attack by Taliban insurgents in eastern Afghanistan. Spokesman for the provincial governor of the eastern Ghazni province, Arif Noori said that the attack took place at a checkpoint, adding that eight insurgents were killed in the ensuing clashes. Ten others were wounded. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the fighters were able to overrun the checkpoint and seize weapons and ammunition. Meanwhile, at least eight Taliban members were killed in airstrikes on the southern Urozgan province. A police spokesman said in a statement that the strikes targeted the regional capital Tarinkot. He identified al-Mulla Qassem as one of the Taliban leaders killed in the bombardment. The Taliban has stepped up its attacks on Afghan security forces in recent years, seizing control of several districts across the country.