A local police officer shot dead nine of his colleagues at a check post in northern Kunduz province on Wednesday night, local officials confirmed.

The incident took place at a check post on the Kunduz–Ali Abad highway.

After killing his colleagues, the attacker reportedly set their bodies on fire. He then gathered up weapons and equipment before fleeing to the Taliban, said a spokesman for police in the 808 Spinzar zone, Mahfuzullah Akbari.

The commander of the check posts, Mohammad Agul, was not at the check post on Wednesday night, he said.

Police have started investigations into the incident.