SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least six militants affiliated to the Islamic State (IS) group have been killed and five others injured as clashes erupted in Afghanistan's northern Jawzjan province on Tuesday, police said.

A group of IS militants attacked some security checkpoints in villages including Awlad, Dinar and Sajal Qashlaq of Darzab district at 01:30 a.m. local time Tuesday, spokesman in the northern region Sayed Sarwar Hussaini said.

Police retaliated, forcing the militants to flee after leaving six bodies behind, the spokesman said.

He also confirmed that five police sustained injuries in the firefight which lasted for a few hours.

IS militants have yet to make comments on the report.