Car bomb kills 3 policemen in western Afghanistan

Afghan security forces inspect the site of a car bomb attack

HERAT, Afghanistan, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Three policemen were killed in a car bomb attack by the Taliban militants in Zanda Jan district in Afghanistan's western Herat province on Friday, provincial governor Sayed Wahid Qatali said Saturday.

Taliban militants detonated an explosive-laden car next to the police checkpoint in Bazarak area of Zanda Jan district at 10:00 p.m. local time Friday, killing three policemen. The Taliban militants also fired at the security forces stationed there, according to the official.

The security forces returned fire, forcing the Taliban militants to flee, the official said.

Parts of Herat province have been the scene of militancy and fighting over the past 24 hours.

According to the Taliban outfit, seven security personnel were killed and five others injured.