Taliban attack Afghan check post, kill 5 policemen

At least five policemen and four others were injured after Taliban insurgents attacked a check post on the Kandahar-Uruzgan highway in Afghanistan on Wednesday, according to local officials.

A source from Kandahar police was quoted by the TOLOnews as saying that the incident took place when a group of Taliban militants wearing Afghan National Army (ANA) uniforms attacked a police check post on the highway attacked the policemen. The militants also attacked an oncoming bus and abducted the passengers as well.

Kandahar Police Chief General Abdul Raziq said that efforts were being made to ensure the safe release of the hostages.

He added that the hostages were mostly policemen and were overpowered after clashing with the militants. However, he did not specify on how many civilians or policemen were abducted.

The Taliban is yet to comment on the incident so far.

This incident comes as the 2nd Kabul Process Conference is underway in Kabul, which is being attended by officials from around 25 countries.

The ongoing meeting aims to secure support for an agreement to end backing of cross-border terrorism and to find a peaceful solution in ending the decades-long insurgency in Afghanistan.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has called on the Taliban to sit down for peace talks with his government.