MAZAR-I-SHARIF, Afghanistan, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- At least nine Afghan Local Police (ALP) personnel were killed following a suspected insider attack in northern province of Balkh Monday night, local police said Tuesday.

The incident occurred in Char Bolak district at mid night when an ALP officer shot and killed nine of his comrades in a security checkpoint before fleeing the scene, a local police officer told Xinhua anonymously.

He said a police officer was also wounded after the shooting and the shooter took weapons from the checkpoint.

The government established the ALP, or community police, in 2010 to protect villages and districts around the country where army and police have limited presence.

Shir Jan Duranni, the provincial police spokesman, confirmed the incident, saying an investigation was launched into the incident and further information would be released after the probe.

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.

In January, 18 local pro-government militiamen were killed in a similar attack in Balkh province.