KUNDUZ, Afghanistan (Xinhua) -- Some 40 foreign fighters have been supporting Taliban militants in Afghanistan's northern Kunduz province, provincial deputy police chief Abdul Rahman Haqtash said on Saturday.

While showing three foreign fighters to journalists, he said they have been fighting under Uzbek extremist commander Tahir Yaldash.

"They are from Tajikistan and they received one-year training in Pakistan's tribal area of Miran Shah bordering Afghanistan last year," Haqtash told a news conference here.

They were arrested along with their Afghan comrade Abdul Sattar this morning and arms and ammunition in their possession were seized, he added.

"UP to 40 foreign fighters from Arab, Chechen, Tajikistan and other central Asian states have been fighting alongside with Taliban militants in Kunduz province," Haqtash said.

A relatively peaceful province in northern Afghanistan, Kunduz has seen increasing Taliban-led insurgency since beginning of this year.