5 killed in clash in N. Afghan province

KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- Four militants and a police officer were killed in a clash outside Kunduz city, capital of the northern Kunduz province on Sunday morning, provincial government spokesman Esmatullah Muradi said.

The clash broke out after a group of Taliban insurgents stormed a security checkpoint in Angor Bagh area and police returned fire, leaving four attackers dead and forcing others to flee, Muradi said.

A police officer who served as commander of the checkpoint was also killed and another wounded in the firefight, the official said.

Police had launched cleanup operation to stabilize security in the area, Muradi added.

Taliban militants haven't commented.