AYBAK, Afghanistan, May 16 (Xinhua) -- At least eight militants including a senior commander have been killed and 10 others sustained injuries as a clash erupted between security forces and Taliban outfit in Afghanistan's northern Samangan province, over the past 24 hours, police said Wednesday.

The clash flared up after the Taliban insurgents attacked security checkpoints in Surkh Qala area of Roiduab district on Tuesday, police spokesman in the province, Mohammad Munir Rahimi said.

The security forces retaliated, triggering a gun battle, during which Taliban attack were finally repulsed after losing eight fighters and leaving 10 others injured.

Taliban senior commander Mawlawi Alam Mukhlis is also among those killed in the fighting, the official said.

He also confirmed that one security personnel lost his life and another injured in the fighting, saying the security forces would continue to chase militants elsewhere in the troubled province.

Taliban militants who have intensified activities since launching their annual offensive on April 25, haven't commented.???