Dozens of Taliban insurgents attacked a police post in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province, killing at least 17 policemen.
With US forces no longer providing air support for their Afghan allies, Taliban fighters are attacking government positions in large numbers this year with the aim of taking and holding territory in remote parts of the country.
The attack took place last night in the Musa Qala district of Helmand where insurgents are active.
“The outpost came under fire from all directions that killed 17 policemen over hours of battle,” district police chief Mohammad Essa said. Ten insurgents were killed, he added.
Poorly trained and ill-equipped, the police are the front line against the Taliban. Often stationed in remote outposts, they suffer far higher casualties than the better-equipped army.
Taliban are fighting to overthrow the US-backed government and impose Islamist rule.
They have stepped up their attacks against Afghan forces since the departure of most foreign troops last year, especially in the past couple of months since warmer weather returned.
Last month, a Taliban attack in Helmand’s Naw Zad district killed at least 19 police officers.