Taliban ambush kills 5 Afghan police in south

KABUL, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Taliban militants laid ambush on police patrol in Zabul province south of Afghanistan, leaving five policemen dead, a senior police officer General Abdul Razeq said Tuesday.

"Militants opened fire on police when they were on patrol in Shumanzai district Tuesday night, killing five policemen," Razeq told Xinhua.

He added that four militants were also killed in the gun battle lasted for a while.

Taliban militants have intensified activities since early this year.

The militants also claimed responsibility for shooting a military helicopter in Badghis province that left 10 American service members dead.