Kabul: At least six people – five policemen and a militant – were killed when Taliban militants attacked a security checkpoint in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, an official said Sunday.
“Unidentified militants stormed a police checkpoint in Marja district around midnight. The late Saturday night exchange of fire left five police personnel and one militant named Mohammad Shaffiq killed,” Xinhua reported citing a senior police officer Meher Dil.
Several militants were also wounded in the gun battle in the province, 555 km from Kabul.
In a separate development, up to 17 kidnapped policemen were released from Taliban custody after mediation by local leaders in Badakhshan province Saturday, district governor Dawlat Mohammad Khawari said.
The policemen were abducted a month ago.