In Afghanistan, Taliban have killed eight policemen and overran three security checkpoints in northern Takhar province. The provincial spokesman, says the attack took place yesterday in the district of Darqad. <br/><br/>He says the hours-long firefight also wounded three police officers and killed eight of the attackers. <br/><br/>The attack coincided with a visit by US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis who from Kabul accused Russia of providing weapons to the Taliban for use against American-backed forces in Afghanistan, a charge Moscow denies. <br/><br/>Mattis' visit followed a Taliban raid on an Afghan base last week that killed over 140 soldiers and military personnel.