KABUL, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Afghan forces eliminated 20 rebels as Taliban insurgents raided a check-point in southern Afghan province of Zabul, inspector general of police in the restive province Abdul Rahman Sarjang said on Friday.

    "The clash erupted when the Taliban insurgents made assault on a checkpoint of national army in Shinkai district Thursday evening, killing one soldier and injuring another," Sarjang told Xinhua.

    Retaliating the attack, Afghan troops with the support of international forces began pounding militants' hideout, leaving 20 dead including six foreign fighters, the police official further said.

    The six foreign fighters, according to Sarjang, were Taliban associates from Pakistan.

    Meanwhile, a joint Afghan and U.S. Marine operation is going on against militants in the neighboring Helmand province, during which one U.S. soldier was killed and several others got wounded since Thursday.

    Taliban fighters have vowed to intensify attacks in Afghanistan this year.