Five police dead in checkpoint attack

Five Afghan police officers have been killed in an attack on a checkpoint in the southern province of Kandahar, officials said today.

The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack.

Zia Durani, spokesman for the provincial police chief, said the attack happened in Maiwand district late yesterday and an investigation is under way.

Mr Durani said there are indications that one or more of the attackers wore a police uniform.

Taliban spokesman Qari Yousaf Ahmadi claimed responsibility for the attack in a message to the media.

The Taliban have stepped up their attacks on Afghan soldiers and security forces in recent months. US and Nato forces concluded their combat mission at the end of last year and Afghan troops took full charge of the country’s security.