Five policemen were killed in an insurgent attack on a police checkpoint northeast of Baghdad early on Monday, according to reports reaching here.

The early morning attack took place in Buhriz, some 60 km northeast of the capital Baghdad, as insurgents sprayed fire on a police checkpoint.

Five policemen were killed and at least three others injured in the fierce attack.

About six insurgents were also killed in the following exchange of fire with the police.

Insurgents have stepped up attacks on US and Iraqi forces following a relative lull during the December 15 parliamentary elections.

(Xinhua News Agency December 27, 2005)