TALUQAN, Afghanistan, May 30 (Xinhua) -- At least two policemen and five militants loyal to the Taliban have been killed in a clash in northern Afghanistan's province of Takhar, an official said Wednesday.

The clash erupted Tuesday night and lasted till Wednesday morning in Dasht-i-Qala district of the province, resulting in the death of five militants and two Afghan Local Police (ALP) personnel, provincial police spokesman Abdul Khalil Asir told Xinhua.

Four militants and two ALP policemen have been injured in the incident, according to the spokesman.

The government established the ALP, or community police, in 2010 to protect villages and districts around the country where army and police have limited presence.

Fighting has escalated in Afghanistan as the Taliban insurgency spreads from its traditional strongholds in the south and east to the once peaceful northern regions, where Taliban have been recruiting from the youths.?