Anti-government militants launched a massive offensive in Jani Khil district of Paktia province on Saturday.
"Around 40 armed militants stormed Jani Khil district at around 06:00 a.m. local time today, triggering gun battle which has left three militants dead," provincial police chief Zalmai Orya Khil told Xinhua.
Security personnel have cordoned off the area to kill or capture the attackers, he added.
"Taliban Commander Mullah Ahmad Hassan is among those killed in the clash, leaving the militants to flee," Orya Khil said.
There was no casualty on the security personnel and the militants ran away after leaving three dead bodies behind in the clash, which lasted for around four hours, the police official further said.The Taliban has yet to make comment.