"The Taliban entered a mine clearance site… and started shooting everyone,” Interior Ministry spokesman Tareq Arian told reporters.

Baghlan governor’s spokesman Jawed Basharat told AFP that the incident happened late Tuesday in an area controlled by government forces, and the attackers were wearing masks.

Afghanistan is one of the countries with the most mines in the world, a legacy of decades of conflict.

In Baghlan province, fighting has been fierce in recent months, with almost daily clashes between the Taliban and government forces in several districts.

Violence has increased across the country since May 1, when the US military began its final withdrawal of troops.

In several districts where fighting has been fierce in recent months, insurgents have placed roadside bombs and mines to attack government forces, but the explosives often kill and injure civilians.

(AFP)