Roadside bombing kills 7 Afghan police officers

Authorities in Afghanistan say a roadside bombing has killed seven police officers in a western province.

Sayed Anwar Rahmati, the governor of Ghor province, said today that the blast struck the officers as they travelled in Charsada district.

Rahmati said yesterday's blast was followed by a four hour gunbattle between Taliban fighters and police officers that killed eight suspected militants.

Rahmati said officials believe the Taliban laid other roadside bombs in the area, so material would now be flown into the area.

Afghan forces have increasingly come under attack as foreign forces prepare to withdrawal from the country by the end of the year.