The clash occurred near the Pakistani border in Paktika Province.
Separately in western Farah Province, suspected Taliban insurgents attacked a group of engineers surveying a dam, triggering a clash in which three militants were killed on March 24.
In the southern province of Helmand on March 24, the Defense Ministry says 11 Taliban were killed during a solely Afghan military operation.
Meanwhile, British Attorney General Lord Goldsmith announced today Britain will give $18 million toward Afghanistan's efforts to put drugs traffickers behind bars.
Goldsmith toured a compound of Afghanistan's criminal justice task force where he met officials involved in prosecuting drug traffickers.
(compiled from agency reports)