Islamabad - Islamic militants attacked a police post in Pakistan's troubled North-Western Frontier Province (NWFP) early Wednesday, killing three policemen and injuring one more, a security official said.

"More than a dozen insurgents targeted the police cordon with rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles at around 1:15 am (2015 GMT) in the outskirts of Hangu district," said police official Munir Hussain.

Three policemen were killed and one injured during the exchange of fire that continued for around one hour, he added. The militants, believed to be Taliban insurgents, also captured three more policemen deployed at the post.

Hangu district, around 75 kilometres south-east of NWFP's capital Peshawarad, adjoins the tribal district Orakzai, a known sanctuary of Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters who have carried out dozens of attacks on security forces, politicians and civilians across Pakistan in recent months.

Government forces launched a major offensive in Hangu in July 2008 after Taliban rebels ambushed a security convoy and killed 17 paramilitary troops. (dpa)