KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- About 43 Afghan army soldiers were killed in an overnight attack by Taliban insurgents in Maywand district of southern province of Kandahar, a local official said Thursday.

"Scores of militants attacked an army outpost in Chashmo locality of Maywand district with car bombs and firearms overnight. The fighting lasted till predawn before additional forces arrived at the area," the official told Xinhua anonymously.

A total of 43 soldiers have been killed and several others wounded, the source said, adding further details about the incident will be shared with media by army officials later in the day.

Taliban suicide bombers used two explosive-laded security forces' hijacked armored vehicles in the attack, the source added.

Several militants were also killed and wounded during the fighting, but their number could not be exactly specified as the militants evacuated their casualties after the clashes.

Meanwhile, a local TV Channel Arina News reported that about 70 soldiers died in Maywand.

Zia Durrani, a provincial police spokesman, when reached by Xinhua confirmed the clashes in the district, west of provincial capital Kandahar city, 450 km south of Kabul.

The attack occurred days after Taliban launched two massive coordinated attacks in eastern Paktia and neighboring Ghanzi provinces.

Over 70 people were killed and more than 170 others wounded in the Tuesday's attack in the eastern provinces.