7 police killed in Afghanistan's Zabul province

QALAT, AFGHANISTAN, March 28 (Xinhua) -- Seven Police were killed in Siory district of the southern Zabul province in a clash Thursday, head of provincial council Ata Jan Haqbayan said.

"The armed rebels attacked security checkpoints in Siory district early this morning, killing seven Police," Haqbayan told Xinhua. The official, however, could not provide more details.

Another official on the condition of anonymity said that seven Police were killed and six others injured in the militants attack and counter-attack which lasted for a while.

Provincial government's spokesman Gul Islam Sayal has confirmed the attack, saying "an investigation is underway" and both sides have suffered casualties.

Meanwhile, Taliban outfit has confirmed the fighting, claiming the militants gained ground in the overnight attack.