KABUL, Sept. 25 (Xinhua) -- A clash between militants and security forces claimed the lives of three Taliban fighters in the western Nimroz province, provincial governor Ghulam Dastgir Azad said Friday.

    "The rebels attacked security forces in Dilaram district Thursday evening and the troops returned fire, as a result three Taliban fighters were killed," Azad told Xinhua.

    An American soldier also sustained injuries in the firefight, which lasted for a few hours, the official added.

    Taliban militants have intensified their activities since early this year and vowed to continue Jihad, or holy war, until the U.S.-led forces are pulled out of Afghanistan.