QALAE ZAL, Afghanistan -- Local officials say at least 18 Taliban militants were killed by Afghan security forces in the northern province of Konduz.

Provincial police spokesman Sayeed Sarwar Hussaini told RFE/RL on June 21 the fighting between security forces and the militants began after the Taliban insurgents attacked security checkpoints in the Qalae Zal district in the afternoon on June 21.

He said a local police commander was killed and another police officer was injured during the incident.

Hussaini said there were several foreign fighters among the militants who carried out the assault.

Meanwhile, a statement from the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force said on June 22 that one of its soldiers died in southern Afghanistan, but did not provide further details.

With reporting by AFPand dpa