Taliban massive offensive on Faryab's provincial capital Maimana city, 425 km northwest of Kabul, was repulsed Monday morning leaving 23 insurgents dead bodies, deputy to provincial police chief Baryali Basharyar said.

The insurgents fled away after leaving 23 dead bodies including shaodwy governor behind on the ground, Basharyar said.

"Hundreds of Taliban rebels launched massive offensive from three directions to capture Maimana city late Sunday night which triggered heavy fighting but security forces after hours of resistance and killing 23 insurgents including Mawlawi Habib, the shadowy governor of Taliban in Faryab province, forced them to flee," Basharyar told Xinhua.

Some 17 more insurgents sustained injuries in the firefight lasted for several hours, he added.

Security forces also seized a Taliban tank during the fighting, the official further said.

Taliban militants who are active in parts of Faryab province and overrun Kunduz provincial capital the Kunduz city last Monday, have yet to make comment.