4 policemen killed in checkpoint attack in northern Afghanistan

"The attack took place in Pul-i-Noor Khan area in Dashti Archi district at around 8:30 a.m., sparking a gunfight which left four ALP members dead, including the commander of the post named Qaum Khan," chief of the district Shaikh Sardroddin told Xinhua.

He said the militants fled the area shortly after security forces arrived in the area, according to Xinhua.

Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

The NATO and U.S.-funded ALP or community police was established in August 2010 to protect villages and districts around the insurgency-hit country where Afghan army and police have limited presence.

The Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since the militant group launched annual spring offensive on May 3 against Afghan and NATO-led troops.