Seven Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan clashes

Seven militants were killed and 12 others injured when clashes erupted in Afghanistan's northern province of Jauzjan on Monday, police said.

"The clashes erupted around 10 a.m. in three villages of Aqcha district and so far seven Taliban insurgents have been killed and three others injured," Abdul Hafiz, deputy to district police chief, told Xinhua news agency.

Two security personnel were injured in the conflict which was still going on, the official added.

Meanwhile, Governor of Aqcha district Rahmatullah Hashar said seven civilians, including two women and a child, have also been wounded in the violence.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a purported spokesman for the Taliban, confirmed the fighting in Aqcha district, saying the militants have inflicted huge casualties on security personnel, a claim rejected by officials as baseless.