9 police killed in Taliban attack; insider blamed

KUNDUZ CITY (Pajhwok): Nine Afghan Local Police (ALP) personnel were killed and their check-post torched with the abetment of an insider in northern Kunduz province, an official said on Thursday.

Mahfoozullah Akbari, police spokesman, confirmed the predawn killings in the provincial capital. He said the incident happened at around midnight on the Kunduz-Aliabad Road.

The official on duty had link with the Taliban and invited them to storm the checkpoint, he alleged. The Taliban killed the slept policemen, snatched their arms and then torched the check-post.

Akbari added the check-post commander, Mohammad Gul, was not present. He blamed the policeman on duty for having links with the militants.

An investigation has been launched into the incident. The Taliban have not yet commented on the predawn attack in Kocha-i-Qazaq locality on the the southern outskirts of Kunduz City.

nh/mud