KANDAHAR, Afghanistan -- Local officials say seven police officers have been shot dead by two militants during a "friendly get-together" at a checkpoint in the southern Kandahar Province.
Haji Abdul Ghani, the chief of the Arghistan district where the incident occurred, said the police officers were acquaintances of the assailants and had apparently invited them to dinner at the checkpoint late on May 27.
Ghani said the two men fired at the police officers and then escaped after taking the officers’ weapons and vehicle.
Another police officer was seriously injured in the attack.
In a statement sent to media, the Taliban insurgent group claimed responsibility for the attack. The Taliban claimed the police casualty toll was higher.
Haji Abdul Ghani, the chief of the Arghistan district where the incident occurred, said the police officers were acquaintances of the assailants and had apparently invited them to dinner at the checkpoint late on May 27.
Ghani said the two men fired at the police officers and then escaped after taking the officers’ weapons and vehicle.
Another police officer was seriously injured in the attack.
In a statement sent to media, the Taliban insurgent group claimed responsibility for the attack. The Taliban claimed the police casualty toll was higher.