17 policemen killed in Yemen attack

Suspected Al Qaeda militants early Thursday attacked a military checkpoint in Yemen and killed at least 17 policemen, an official said.

"Assailants of the Al Qaeda group raided a checkpoint in Bayhan district of Shabwa province, killing up to 17 policemen at around 5 a.m.," the official told Xinhua.

"Three armoured vehicles were torched during the attack," the official said.

The fighting lasted for half an hour.

Some policemen were also reported missing following the attack, the official added..

A witness said that "unknown gunmen arrived on two pick-up trucks and opened heavy fire and tossed grenades on the soldiers stationed at the checkpoint".