FAIZABAD, Afghanistan - Two Afghan policemen were killed in an operation in the country's northern relatively peaceful province of Badakhshan, a spokesman for the provincial government said on Tuesday.

"Police have launched a cleanup operation on Monday in Aakhsira area of Wardoj district to capture a group of irresponsible armed men who have been challenging peace and stability in the area," Mohammad Maruf Rasikh told Xinhua.

"There were sporadic gunfights in the area since the raid was launched yesterday and a number of militants have been killed," Rasikh said.  

He said two policemen with the Afghan National Police (ANP) have also been killed and three others were injured in the operation, which is still going on Tuesday in the province with Faizabad as its capital, 315 km northeast of Kabul.

"Three more ANP forces sustained injuries in the operation," he added.

Meantime, Zabihullah Mujahid, who claims to talk for Taliban insurgents claimed in talks with local media that the outfit insurgents have cordoned over 30 police forces and seized three police vehicles in Badakhshan province.

The Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since the militant group announced to launch a rebel offensive from May 1 against Afghan and NATO-led troops stationed in Afghanistan.