AFP

KABUL

TEN policemen were killed after a roadside bomb ripped through their patrol vehicle in central Afghanistan, an official said on Saturday.

The bomb struck their pickup truck in the restive Chak district of Maidan Wardak province on Friday, ministry of interior spokesman Sediq Sediqqi told.

“Yesterday afternoon a local police vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb that unfortunately left all ten local police dead,” he said.

The Taliban immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but put the death toll at seven.

“The roadside bomb was planted by our mujahideen in Chak district of Wardak yesterday,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told.

The Afghan local police are a government-sponsored militia force that works alongside the Afghan army and the national police.

Taliban militants have recently increased their attacks on Afghan officials and security forces.

Taliban militants have recently increased their attacks on Afghan officials and security forces.