At least seven policemen were killed in an insider attack in the southern province of Kandahar on Sunday, local officials said.

The incident took place in Tor Kotal area in Shah Wali Kot district after a policeman opened fire on his comrades, killing seven police force members, Kandahar police said in a statement.

The suspect has escaped from the area scene after opening fire on his comrades, the statement said.

Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack and said the policeman was their “infiltrator”.