At least 20 local and national policemen were killed in clashes with Taliban insurgents in southern Zabul province, local officials said on Sunday adding that clashes are still ongoing.

In addition, 6 other policemen were injured.

The clash started in Shajoy district of the province on Saturday night after Taliban insurgents attacked the district and clashed with police, said officials.

“The Taliban have taken control of Bolan Robab area in Shajoy where there are about 2,000 houses and insurgents started searching the houses and also raised their flags,” the official said.

Bolan Robab is close to the district governor’s compound and the clashes are still ongoing in the center of the district, officials added.

The officials also said that reinforcements have been sent from Qalat, the capital of the district, to Shajoy to support the local forces but have not yet arrived.

A local police force commander said on condition of anonymity that the Taliban have surrounded the local police forces in Shajoy.

However, there are no reports about civilian casualties nor of Taliban casualties.