A US airstrike killed 16 Afghan police and wounded two others in Helmand province, officials said Saturday. 

The incident took place Friday around 5 pm as Afghan security forces were clearing a village of Taliban elements, Salam Afghan, Helmand police spokesman, told AFP.

"In the strike, 16 Afghan policemen were killed including two commanders. Two other policemen were wounded," he said. 

Omar Zwak, Helmand provincial governor spokesman confirmed the strike and gave the same account.