KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least six police were killed after an insurgent's attack in Maywand District of southern Afghanistan's province of Kandahar on Monday, police said. "The insurgents carried out a tactical attack. They initiated a blast in a house. After a police unit arrived at the area, the gunmen fired on them, leaving two police officers and four cops killed," a police source told Xinhua anonymously.

Samim Khpalwak, a provincial government spokesman, confirmed the incident, saying the attack took place at around 04:00 p.m. local time in Bari Manda locality of the district. "An investigation was launched into the incident, and security forces have launched a massive manhunt in the area to nab the fleeing culprits," Khpalwak told Xinhua.

Taliban insurgent group was blamed for the killing.

Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban, is notorious for poppy growing.

The Taliban, who ruled the country before they were ousted by a U.S.-led invasion in late 2001, renewed armed insurgency, staging ambush and suicide attacks, killing combatants as well as civilians.