Kabul: Six Afghan policemen have been killed in an insider attack at their checkpoint in a volatile district of southern Helmand province.The Taliban said the policeman had been recruited by them for the attack.

Provincial officials told the BBC that a policeman killed six colleagues and fled with weapons and a vehicle.

The Taliban said the policeman had been recruited by them for the attack.

While many Nato soldiers have been killed in insider attacks, analysts believe most of the casualties occur within the ranks of Afghan forces.

Earlier this week a policeman opened fire and killed seven colleagues in the Gereshk district of Helmand.The latest attack had taken place in Helmands restive Musa Qala district.

Four of those killed were members of Afghanistans locally based defence and militia force, and two of them were part of the national police force, officials said.

Officials say they are still investigating if the policeman had in fact been recruited by the Taliban.