An air raid carried out by international troops in northern Afghan province of Kunduz in the wee hours of Saturday left some 10 Taliban insurgents dead, said an official.

"It occurred at 1 a.m. Saturday morning (2030 GMT Friday) when air raid by international troops targeted Taliban hideout in Wazir village of Gultepa area near the Kunduz city,"Omar added.

He further said that the airstrike claimed the lives of nine to 10 militants, including foreign fighters.

However, Zabihullah Mujahid,who claimed to talk for Taliban outfits, denied any of the insurgents has been killed in the airstrike.

NATO airstrike against Taliban militants in Kunduz has reportedly killed over 90 people, including civilians last week.

(Xinhua News Agency September 12, 2009)