SARI PUL, Afghanistan, Feb. 1 (Xinhua) -- At least six Afghan soldiers and nine Taliban militants were killed in a fresh clash in the country's northern province of Sari Pul, a local official said Friday.

The incident happened at about 10:00 p.m. local time Thursday in Suzma Qala district's Gorkab area of the province, where the militants attacked a government forces check-post, leaving nine fighters dead and 13 others wounded, Hanif Rezai, spokesman of army Corps 209 Shaheen, told Xinhua.

Six army troops have also been killed during the two-hour-long offensives, he confirmed.

Fighting has escalated in Afghanistan as the Taliban insurgency spreads from its traditional strongholds in the south and east to the once peaceful region in the north, where Taliban have been recruiting among the youth.

The militants have also intensified attacks on security forces and staged coordinated large-scale attacks in Afghan cities and districts from time to time.

Taliban militants have not still commented on the report.