FACTBOX: Security developments in Afghanistan, July 15

(Reuters) - Following are security developments in Afghanistan at 11:15 a.m. EDT on Tuesday:

* denotes new or updated items

* GHAZNI - Afghan soldiers killed 12 militants, including a commander, during clashes on the main highway between Kabul and Ghazni overnight, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.

GHAZNI - Taliban insurgents killed eight civilian passengers they seized from vehicles in Ghazni province on Monday, an official said on Tuesday. A Taliban source in the province confirmed the incident, saying those killed were spies of U.S.-led forces.

PAKTIKA - A roadside bomb killed six civilians in southeastern Paktika province on Monday, an official said.

HERAT - Gunmen abducted two Turkish workers of a construction firm on Monday from the town of Islam Qala on the border with Iran, a provincial official said on Tuesday.

WARDAK - Insurgents have suffered "heavy casualties" after attacking national army posts overnight in Wardak province which lies on a vital highway linking the capital with the southern and western regions, the defence ministry said on Tuesday.

NURISTAN - The ministry also said that seven more militants died during an army operation in northeastern Nuristan province on Monday.

(Compiled by Sayed Salahuddin and Jonathon Burch; Editing by Alison Williams)