GHAZNI, Afghanistan, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- The commander of highway police deployed on the Ghazni-Kandahar highway was killed and four others were injured as clashes erupted between highway police and armed militants on Tuesday, spokesman for Ghazni provincial government Aref Nuri said.

The clashes, according to the official, erupted on Tuesday morning after the armed militants attacked a checkpoint of highway police at Jamal Qala area of Andar district and lasted for a while during which Aziz Ahmad, the commander of highway police, was killed and four more police sustained injuries.

Nuri also asserted that it was Taliban militants who attacked the checkpoint. It also suffered casualties and left several dead bodies behind when fleeing away.

Taliban militants haven't commented on the claim yet.