Afghan battle kills 5 in northern Kunduz province

KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Five people including two policemen have been killed as a clash flared up between police and Taliban group in the northern Kunduz province on Sunday, the head of the Provincial Council said.

The fighting, according to Mohammad Yusuf Ayubi, erupted after Taliban insurgents attacked a security checkpoint in Juma Bazaar area of Chardara district Sunday morning and police returned fire, killing three insurgents on the spot and injuring three others.

Two police constables have been killed and two others injured in the firefight, the official said.

Parts of Kunduz province, including Chardara district, have been the scene of Taliban-led militancy over the past few years.