At least 20 Taliban militants were killed in clashes with Afghan security forces in Faryab province in Afghanistan's north, local officials said Saturday.

The battle started in Dawlat Abad district in Faryab on Friday night and continued for few hours by the midnight.  

District governor Abdul Salam Nahzat confirmed the report and said the clash continued for three hours in which Taliban suffered heavy casualties.

Nazhzat said at least 11 security check posts and 10 villages in the district are under control of the Taliban.

He added that government forces will launch a military operation to retake those areas.

Three soldiers were wounded in the fighting, he said.

Taliban has not commented on the report.