Afghan authorities say Taleban guerrillas have overrun a district headquarters in central Uruzgan province, driving out government forces in a battle that lasted for several hours.
Local officials say hundreds of militants stormed Chora district and took over the main police and government compound late Tuesday.
There were no confirmed reports about casualties.
They say the militants appeared to have left the compound Wednesday morning, but government troops were waiting for reinforcements before re-entering the area.
In another attack, suspected Taleban guerrillas killed the deputy police chief in neighboring Zabol province and wounding at least three policemen traveling witih him.
Taleban insurgents have stepped up attacks in recent weeks, particularly in southern and eastern Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, the capital, Kabul, was calm Wednesday morning after a second straight night of curfew imposed following anti-U.S. rioting on Monday.
The riot was sparked by the crash of a U.S. military truck that American army officials say had break failure.
Afghan police say the crash killed five Afghans and another seven died during the ensuing riot.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
