Taliban insurgents in attack on government interest killed nine police in Helmand providence south of Afghanistan Thursday, a press release of Interior Ministry said.

"The enemies in a coward attack on a checkpoint in Nahri Saraj district at 4:00 a.m. local time (GMT1230) martyred nine policemen, " the press release added.

Government troops, it further said, had launched a cleanup operation in the area to ensure the security and protect the lives of citizens.

Notorious for growing poppy and militancy, Helmand has been regarded as the heartland of Taliban insurgents in south Afghanistan.

Conflicts and violence have claimed the lives of 5,000 people, with over 2,000 civilians, in 2008 while the insurgents have vowed to speed up attacks against government interests this year in Afghanistan.

(Xinhua News Agency March 26, 2009)