At least one policeman was killed and nine civilians and a second policeman were wounded during a clash between police and Taliban militants in southern Helmand province on Monday.
Provincial police chief Maj. Gen. Abdur Rahman Sarjang told Pajhwok Afghan News the clash between police and insurgents erupted at 1:00pm in Treekh Nawar locality of Marja district.
He said two masked Taliban fighters opened fire at police in the district bazaar and the police returned fire.
At least one policeman was killed and another wounded, adding nine residents of the district were also injured in the crossfire.
Officials at the Emergency-run hospital in Lashkargah, the provincial capital, confirmed receiving 12 injured people with four in critical condition.
An eyewitness of the incident, Abdul Haq, said "two masked insurgents came and opened fire at the police".
At least four civilians and two policemen were killed and another six civilians were wounded in the attack, he said.
The Taliban have issued no comment regarding the attack.
Over the past four months, the Taliban have laid siege to Marja district.
