Suspected Taliban operatives in a raid on police escorting US-base bound trucks eliminated three policemen in southern Zabul province Saturday night, a local official said Sunday.

"Taliban attacked a convoy of trucks carrying food to US base killing three policemen escorting the convoy in Siori district last night," district chief of Siori Rozi Khan told Xinhua.

The incident, he added took place at mid night during which a number of Taliban rebels were also died in firefight.

In the meantime, Taliban movement accepted responsibility for the bloody event.

"At least one truck was destroyed in the operation," Taliban's spokesman Latif Hakimi told Xinhua via telephone from undisclosed locations.

He also expressed his ignorance about the casualties of the rebels.

Taliban loyalists whose regime was ousted by US military in late 2001 have intensified their activities as the post-Taliban nation getting closer towards the landmark Sept. 18 legislative elections.

Source: Xinhua