By Xinhua,
Kabul : At least 11 policemen were killed when Taliban insurgents ambushed a patrol in Afghanistan, an official said Monday, expressing fears that Taliban elements might have infiltrated the police force.
The incident took place late Sunday evening in the southern city of Kandahar.
Provincial police chief Amanullah Khan told Xinhua that investigations were on into the incident as also the possibility of Taliban infiltration into the police force.
“We suspect there were some Taliban spies in our police team,” Amanalullah said.
Meanwhile, a caller who identified himself as Qari Yusuf Ahmadi and claimed to be a Taliban spokesman told Xinhua from an unknown hideout that about 50 Taliban militants attacked and “completely destroyed” the police patrol in the overnight battle, leaving at least 14 policemen dead and two vehicles burnt.
“We captured 15 machineguns from the police as well,” he said.
Conflicts and Taliban-related violence have left nearly 400 people dead till date this year in war-torn Afghanistan where Taliban militants recently have vowed to launch a “spring offensive” to intensify their guerrilla-style attacks on national army and foreign troops.