KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, April 15 (Xinhua) -- At least five militants of the Afghan Taliban have been killed and six others wounded following a gunfight with security forces in the country's northern province of Kunduz, a provincial government spokesman said Sunday.

"The fighting erupted, when the insurgents attacked security checkpoints in Qalay-i-Zal district, where five militants, including a Taliban division commander, Mullah Jannat Gul, were killed and six other injured in the force's counter-offensive," spokesman Nematullah Timuri told Xinhua.

Three local policemen were also injured in the two-hour skirmish, the spokesman added.

The province, as well as neighboring Baghlan and Takhar provinces, has been the scene of heavy clashes over the past couple of months as Taliban has been trying to challenge the government forces in the once relatively peaceful region.

In neighboring Baghlan province, Taliban blew up an electricity tower, cutting off electricity to parts of the country and national capital Kabul city.