A clash killed two policemen and two Taliban militants in Zabul province of southern Afghanistan, an official told Xinhua on Thursday.

A group of Taliban rebels attacked a police checkpoint in Kajoi area of Shahjui district in the province at around 6: 00 p.m. on Wednesday, said Dad Mohammad Rasa, a press officer of Afghan Interior Ministry.

During the conflict, which lasted several hours, two insurgents and two policemen were killed, he said, adding two policemen including the checkpoint's commander were also injured.

The checkpoint is on the highway from Kandahar city, capital of the southern Kandahar province, to Afghan capital Kabul.

Due to rising Taliban-linked violence this year, Afghanistan has plunged into the worst spate of bloodshed since the Taliban regime was toppled down nearly five years ago.

More than 2,600 people, mostly Taliban rebels, have been killed in Afghanistan this year.

Source: Xinhua