A traditional Afghan egg fight escalated into a gun battle, in which six people were reportedly killed.

Trouble started when Taleban soldiers tried to stop the egg fight.

The contests are forbidden in Taleban controlled areas of Afghanistan because they usually involve gambling, a crime under the Taleban's Islamic Sharia law.

Egg fights: Traditional but betting is outlawed

Competition rules are quite simple: two contestants each hold an egg in one hand and strike them together. The loser is the one whose egg breaks first.

This egg fight in the eastern Afghan province of Khost started innocently enough.

It was held to celebrate the Muslim festival of Eid-al-Fitr at the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Eyewitnesses said trouble started when Taleban soldiers tried to stop bets being made.

Blows were exchanged and then stones thrown. Finding themselves outnumbered, the Taleban are said to have rushed off to seek reinforcements.

They returned, according to reports, in eight vehicles, heavily armed and meaning business.

But the local tribesmen were also ready, having taken up positions in nearby mountains.

In the ensuing battle, in which rocket launchers are said to have been used, at least six people were reportedly killed.