Kabul: "At least 10 people, including seven Taliban militants, were killed on Friday in a gun battle in Afghanistan's Takhar province", an official said.

"A group of militants attacked a security checkpoints in Tashkotal area of Khawjaghar district triggering a gun battle which still continues and so far 10 people have been killed," a local official told Xinhua.

"Taliban militants conducted the attack from the neighbouring Dasht-e-Archi district", the official added.

Dasht-e-Archi and Chardara districts were captured by Taliban militants over the weekend.

Security forces regained control of Chardara in a counter-offensive earlier this week while efforts to retake Dasht-e-Archi district continue.

(IANS)