KANDAHAR, May 14: Four Afghan policemen and at least 11 suspected Taliban were killed in fierce fighting on Sunday in volatile southern Afghanistan, a provincial government spokesman said.

The battle in southern Kandahar province’s Panjwayi district erupted at midday and continued into the evening, officials said.

“In today’s fighting, 11 Taliban were killed and four policemen died,” said Mohammad Daud Ahmadi, spokesman for the Kandahar governor.

“Four policemen were also injured,” he told AFP.

A doctor in nearby Kandahar city said however that seven wounded policemen were admitted to his hospital and were in good condition.

The fighting started after police had gone to the area on a tip-off that Taliban were there, Ahmadi said. “The Taliban attacked them and the fighting erupted,” he said.

The US-led coalition which has thousands of troops in Kandahar confirmed the battle but could not give details.

“We have heard of a national police engagement. There is no involvement of coalition but we’re monitoring (the fighting),” spokesman Major Scott Lundy said.

“So far, they have not sought our assistance,” he told AFP.

Panjwayi, about 35 kilometres west of Kandahar city, is known to be a hideout for Taliban militants who have been waging an insurgency against President Hamid Karzai’s government for more than four years.—AFP