At least four Afghan policemen were killed and the driver of a former official was beheaded in attacks in the southern province of Zabul.
Just 12 days before a landmark election that Islamic militants have vowed to disrupt, police clashed with suspected guerrillas from the ousted Taliban in a four-hour gun battle in Nawbahar district, an army spokesman said.
Four policemen were killed and two wounded; two insurgents died and two were arrested, he added.
Taliban commander Borjan Niazi said seven policemen died in the fighting. He denied there were any Taliban casualties.
In Zabul's Shen Gharo district, the driver of a former provincial governor was beheaded and his corpse left by the side of the road, the army spokesman said.
More than 1,000 people have been killed since August last year in violence linked mostly to remnants of the Taliban, toppled from power in a US-led war for failing to hand over al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden after the September 11th attacks.
Most of the 18 candidates for president have called for the October 9th poll to be delayed until security improves.
However, President Hamid Karzai, who is overwhelming favourite to keep his job, has said the vote will take place on schedule.