Two Afghan soldiers were killed and seven injured as Taliban militants attacked an army checkpoint in Kunduz province on Monday, an official said.
"The attack took place in Pul-e-Momin, Dasht-e-Archi district. Several militants were also killed and injured during the exchange of fire," Xinhua quoted an official as saying.
The injured were shifted to an army camp for treatment, the official added.
The province bordering Tajikistan, some 250 km north of Kabul, has been the scene of heavy clashes between security forces and Taliban since late 2015.
The Taliban has intensified attacks across the country since the start of 2016, which coincides with the potential resumption of government-Taliban peace talks and the launch of the fourth round of the four-nation meeting of Afghanistan, China, US and Pakistan on the Afghan peace process, to be held in Kabul on February 23.