DHAKA: At least 18 Afghan police officers have been killed and 13 wounded in a Taliban ambush in northern Badakhshan province, the interior ministry says.

The police were in Wardooj district and on their way back to the provincial capital after an anti-insurgent operation when they came under attack.

Although the mountainous north-east is relatively peaceful, Wardooj district has become increasingly volatile.

The Taliban said that they had carried out the attack.

In a statement they said that they had taken weapons and vehicles in the attack, and had handed over some of the bodies to tribal elders.

The statement also said 47 insurgents had been killed in police operations in the same region this week.

The interior ministry has ordered an investigation into the death of the police officers.

Source: BBC

BDST: 2017 HRS, SEP 20, 2013
GR/SRS