At least 18 Afghan soldiers have been killed overnight in a Taliban attack in the western province of Herat, an official said Friday.

The militants stormed an army checkpoint in Shindand district and took at least another 20 soldiers hostage, provincial council member Sardar Bahaduri told dpa.

A number of those captured were injured, Bahaduri said. 

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid posted a video on Twitter allegedly showing the captive soldiers inside a room.

The authenticity of the video could not be independently verified.

Last week, a fierce clash between Taliban and a pro-government militia led by a powerful local commander in the same district left 29 dead and 17 injured.