Some five Afghan policemen and one militant were killed after Taliban militants attacked a security checkpoint in Afghanistan's Southern Helmand province overnight, police said on Sunday.
"An unknown number of militants stormed a police checkpoint in Trikh Nawar locality of Marja district at around midnight. The exchange of fire left five police and one militant named Mohammad Shaffiq killed," District Police Chief Meher Dil told Xinhua.
Several militants were also wounded following the gun battle in the province, 555 km South of Kabul.
Helmand is notorious for poppy growing and is a known Taliban hotbed.
In another development, up to 17 kidnapped policemen were released from Taliban custody after mediation by local leaders in Wardoj district of Northern Badakhshan province late Saturday, District Governor Dawlat Mohammad Khawari said earlier on the day.
The released cops, who were captured by the militants a month ago, were in good health, he added.