Kabul, Sep 2 (IANS): At least 18 Taliban militants have been killed in a clash between supporters of new Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansoor and his opponents in Afghanistan's Herat province, the media reported on Wednesday.

"A clash erupted between supporters of Taliban's new leader Mullah Akhtar Mansoor and his opponents loyal to the former leader Mullah Omar in Akal village of Shindand district on Tuesday. Eighteen people from both sides have been killed and 10 others have been injured so far," Xinhua news agency reported.

The clash between the two sides was still going on, the report added citing officials.

This is the third time over the past week that local media has reported instances of infighting among Taliban militants.

Following the confirmation of the death of Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar in late July, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor declared himself as supreme leader of the hardline militants.

However, Mullah Omar's elder son Mullah Yaqub has challenged Mansoor's leadership as illegal and warned him to step down or face the danger of infighting.