1st LD Writethru: 17 policemen killed in convoy ambush in S. Afghanistan
Xinhua, June 13, 2015 Adjust font size:
At least 17 Afghan policemen were killed and three others wounded after militants ambushed a police convoy in the southern Helmand province overnight Friday, sources said on Saturday.
The ambush took place in Konjak area of Musa Qala district after militants attacked a convoy of police forces from the neighboring Baghran district, a district security source told Xinhua anonymously.
About 10 armed militants were killed and seven others wounded during a gun battle lasting for hours in the district, north of provincial capital Lashkar Gah, 555 km south of Kabul, the source added.
Three police vehicles were destroyed and two vehicles were seized along with rounds of police weapons by fleeing militants following the clash, the source said.
Omar Zwak, a provincial government spokesman, also confirmed the incident.
"I do confirm that a clash occurred between security forces and militants in Musa Qala last night. Our security forces are investigating the incident and details will be revealed afterwards, " Zwak told Xinhua.
Helmand, notorious for poppy growing, is also a known Taliban stronghold.
The Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since mid-April when the militant group launched a yearly rebel offensive against Afghan security forces.
The Afghan soldiers and police casualties have risen as the U.S. and NATO troops in Afghanistan have switched from the combat to a support role of training, advising and assisting Afghan forces since Jan. 1. Endi