15 militants killed after Taliban attack repelled in northern Afghanistan

MAIMANA, Afghanistan, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Some 15 militants were killed after the Afghan forces repelled a Taliban attack to capture a district in northern Faryab province, army spokesman in the northern region Mohammad Hanif Rezai said Saturday.

A group of Taliban fighters launched a well-coordinated offensive on security checkpoints to overrun Qaisar district early Saturday but faced resistance and finally retreated after losing 15 fighters on the spot, said the spokesman.

Over a dozen more insurgents sustained injuries, Rezai added.

Six security personnel were also killed in the firefight which lasted for three hours, the spokesman said.

The Taliban militants have not commented on the clashes.