GHAZNI, Afghanistan, May 16 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 Afghan soldiers and 44 Taliban militants have been killed after clashes broke out in four districts of eastern province of Ghazni overnight, an army source said Wednesday.

The clashes started after militants launched a massive coordinated attack against security checkpoints in Andar, Gilan, Zana Khan and Jaghato districts around the provincial capital of Ghanzi city after midnight, Gen. Shohuor Gul, commander of army's 203 Tandar based in the region, told Xinhua.

"The brave army soldiers and police fought back the attackers and the initial information showed that 44 Taliban militants, including two divisional Taliban commanders named Mawlawi Furqan and Abdul Salaam, were killed and eight militants were injured," Gul added.

"The sporadic clashes continued until Wednesday morning but the security situation was under control of security forces and normality has returned in the districts," he said.

The Taliban-led insurgency has been on the rampage since the beginning of 2015 when the Afghan security forces assumed full responsibilities of security from the U.S. and NATO troops.

The Taliban militants also intensified attacks against security forces across the country after they launched a yearly rebel offensive on April 25.

On Tuesday, at least five civilians, 25 soldiers and nearly 300 militants were killed after Taliban launched a massive attack against Farah city, capital of western Farah province.