KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, Dec. 28 (Xinhua) -- Five suspected militants, including an alleged local Taliban leader, have been arrested following an intelligence activity in Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province, an official said Friday.

"Five members of Taliban group, including one of their leaders, accused of anti-government activities were arrested on their way from Chahar Dara and Archi districts of the province on Thursday," a provincial official from the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the country's primary intelligence agency, told Xinhua.

An investigation was underway, he added.

According to another report, a highway between Takhar and Kunduz provinces has been blocked from traffic earlier on Friday, after a group of armed Taliban militants attacked security checkpoints in Khanabad district.

So far no report has been released on the possible casualties of the warring sides, Hayatullah Amiri, the district chief told Xinhua.

The Kunduz province, as well as neighboring Takhar province, has been the scene of heavy clashes over the past couple of months as the Taliban has been trying to challenge the government forces in the once relatively peaceful region.