KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Four police were killed and 13 laborers were abducted after militants attacked a road construction site in Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar, local police said on Friday.

The incident occurred Thursday evening in Sira Sahan area of remote Spin Boldak district, provincial police department said in a statement.

"Afghan Border Police arrived at the area shortly after kidnapping attack to respond to the attack and a gunfight occurred at the area. The clash caused for policemen killed," the statement said.

The statement added that efforts were underway to locate and free the abducted people.

The attackers also burned several vehicles and heavy machines at the area before fleeing the scene.

The laborers were building a road connecting Spin Boldak to the neighboring Shorabak district.

Earlier reports stated that 13 labors and 19 security guards were abducted.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident so far but Taliban militants have presence in the district, bordering Pakistan.

The Taliban-led insurgency has been on the rampage since the beginning of 2015 when the Afghan security forces assumed full responsibilities of security from the United States and NATO troops.

The militants warned local contractors not to provide service to the government.