At least six policemen were killed in an insurgent attack in southern Helmand province on Sunday night, local officials confirmed on Tuesday.

In addition, three other policemen were wounded in the attack.

The attack took place in Sangin district of the province after a number of insurgents attacked a police check post and clashed with security forces, provincial police chief Aqa Noor Kentozai said.

“The insurgents also took Abdul Malek, the commander of the check post, with them after he was injured in the clash,” Kentozai said.

However, he did not provide further details about the attack.

This comes just a day after at least 20 local and national policemen were killed in clashes with Taliban insurgents in southern Zabul province, local officials said on Sunday.

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

At least seven check posts fell to the insurgents but by late Sunday security forces had regained control of all check posts.