A gun battle between Taliban militants and employees of two private security firms left seven militants dead and eight employees of the companies injured in Wardak province on Thursday, spokesman for provincial administration said.

"The conflict happened in Syed Abad district in the wee hours on Thursday when Taliban rebels attacked two private security firms namely Qudrat and Watan Risk and guards of the companies returned fire, as a result seven insurgents were killed," Shahidullah Shahid told Xinhua.

Meanwhile, eight employees of the companies were injured in the firefight lasted for nearly two hour, he said.

Both the security firms provide security to logistic convoys of NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in different provinces of the country.

Taliban militants fighting Afghan and NATO-led troops have intensified activities since beginning this month as the armed outfit announced to launch spring offensive from May 1.