At least six Taliban insurgents have been killed and four others wounded in an exchange of fire in the southern Helmand province of Afghanistan, an officer told Xinhua on Friday.

The militants were killed or injured on Thursday night by Afghan troops, police and coalition forces in Mirmanda and Hidar Ahbad villages in Grashak district of Helmand, said General Nabijan Mullhakhed, a senior commander of Afghan forces.

Two militants were arrested, and no casualties were reported from the troops and police, he added.

Afghanistan has suffered from a rise of Taliban-linked violence this year, during which over 1,200 persons, mostly Taliban militants, have been killed so far.

Source: Xinhua