Three Taliban militants have been killed in a fight with Afghan and Coalition troops in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar, an Afghan official said Tuesday.

"A group of Taliban militants attacked Afghan National Army (ANA) and Coalition troops yesterday in Shahwali Kot district of Kandahar. In the fighting back of ANA and Coalition forces, three Taliban militants were killed including a commander named Mullah Abdullah," Hayatullah, the district chief told Xinhua.

After the holding of the landmark Afghan parliamentary elections on Sept. 18, Taliban militants, who have vowed to derail the election and drive all foreign troops from the country, have intensified their attacks against Afghan and foreign troops.

In another development, three people were killed and 20 others injured in a bomb explosion near the passing gate in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar Tuesday afternoon.

"As the investigation and cleanup works going on, more people have been found dead or wounded. Till now three persons including a woman and a child were killed, 20 persons were injured," Abdul Razaq, bordering police commander told Xinhua.

The passing gate is the main gate between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and hundreds of people shuttle between the two countries through the gate everyday.

As Taliban intensified its attacks, ANA and Coalition troops have also strengthened the intensity of clearing up operation. In a recent operation, 28 Taliban militants were killed Sunday night in eastern province of Paktia.

Over 1,200 people with a majority of them militants, according to official sources, have been killed in Taliban-led insurgency against some 20,000-strong US-dominated foreign troops and 30,000 fledgling Afghan National Army (ANA) since the beginning of this year.

Source: Xinhua