11 local police surrender to Taliban in Uruzgan

TIRINKOT (PAN militants in central Uruzgan province, an official said on Saturday.

The policemen laid down their arms in the Toshkan area of Khas Uruzgan district late on Friday night, the governor’s spokesman told Pajhwok Afghan News. 

Milad Ahmad Mudassir said they had yet to receive details about the surrender, which was being investigated.

An intelligence agent, who did not want to be named, said the policemen had turned in a rocket launcher, several light weapons and a pick-up to the insurgents.

Abdul Hakim, a resident of the area, said the killing of their commander three days back had turned out to be a morale-buster for the local security personnel.

Members of the force in Khas Uruzgan are trying to quit their jobs, he said, claiming three of the men had been killed by the Taliban and their funeral prayers were offered in Toshkan today. 

But the governor’s spokesman said he was unaware of the killings.