SHEBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- A Taliban shadow district chief is among three militants killed in the northern Jawzjan province on Thursday, deputy to provincial police chief Kamaludin Yawar said.

"Mullah Mukhlis who had served as shadow district chief for Faizabad district of Jawzjan province is among three insurgents killed in clash with security forces early today," Yawar told Xinhua.

The clash, according to the official, broke out late Wednesday night after the insurgents attacked security checkpoints in Haider Abad area of Faizabad district, triggering a gun battle.

But the insurgents fled away early Thursday morning after leaving three dead bodies behind including their commander Mullah Mukhlis. Four more militants were injured in the fighting which lasted for a few hours, the official said.

Taliban militants haven't commented yet.