AYBAK, Afghanistan, March 22 (Xinhua) -- At least six militants were killed as a clash erupted between government forces and the Taliban fighters in Dara-e-Suf Payan district of the northern Samangan province on Friday, an army spokesman in the northern region Abdul Hadi Jamal said.

The clash, according to Jamal, broke out early morning and lasted for a few hours and the militants fled away, leaving six bodies behind.

Seven more militants and two security personnel sustained injuries in the fighting, the official added.

The Taliban outfit has yet to make a comment.