At least four Afghan policemen were killed and the driver of a former official was beheaded in attacks in the troubled southern province of Zabul, a police official said on Tuesday. Just 12 days before a landmark election that Islamic militants have vowed to disrupt, police clashed with suspected guerrillas from the ousted Taliban in a four-hour gun battle in Nawbahar district, Colonel Jailani Khan said. Four policemen were killed and two wounded, while two insurgents died and two were arrested, he added. Taliban commander Borjan Niazi said seven policemen died in the fighting. He denied there were any Taliban casualties. In Zabul's Shen Gharo district, the driver of a former provincial governor was beheaded and his corpse left by the side of the road late on Monday, Khan said.
Most of the 18 candidates for president have called for the Oct. 9 poll to be delayed until security improves. However, President Hamid Karzai, who is overwhelming favourite to keep his job, has said the vote will take place on schedule. |