KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- A commissioned policeman has killed five of his colleagues and managed to flee in Afghanistan southern province of Kandahar, an official said Sunday.

"The incident happened late on Saturday, when a police personnel opened fire killing five of his colleagues and wounding another in the restive Maywand district's Khak-e-Chupan village of the province," Qasim Azad provincial police official told Xinhua.

According to him the assailant has managed to flee the area, after the incident.

Police launched an investigation into the case.

Similar incidents had happened in the past when Afghan security force members turned their weapons against their fellow soldiers.

Taliban militants often claim responsibility for the attacks.