MAIMANA, Afghanistan, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least eight militants and four security personnel were killed and 14 others including eight insurgents wounded, following a fierce clash in Afghanistan's northern Faryab province, an army source said Friday.

The clash erupted in the early hours of Thursday when a group of militants, affiliated with the Taliban group, launched massive offensive on security checkpoints in the troubled Qaisar district of the province, said Abdul Hadi Jamal, a press officer of the 217 Pamir Army Corps.

"Eight Taliban rebels and four security personnel were killed and 14 others including six security personnel wounded, following a 6-hour fighting in Qaisar district this morning," Jamal told Xinhua.

Taliban militants who are in control of parts of the restive Faryab province haven't commented on the clash. The Taliban group has intensified attacks since launching the annual spring offensive on April 12.