Militant attack kills 5 police officers in Afghanistan

At least five police officers, including a district police chief, have been killed in a militant attack in western Afghanistan.

Raouf Ahmadi, the spokesman for the provincial police chief of Herat Province, said the attack was carried out on Monday when militants targeted a police vehicle in Farsi district.

Ahmadi added that district police chief Sher Ahmad Khan was among the victims and that another officer was wounded in the attack.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, although Taliban militants often carry out similar assaults.

The militant group has stepped up attacks against Afghan security forces and US-led troops in recent months.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror in 2001. The offensive removed the Taliban from power; but, years into the invasion, the country is still gripped by insecurity.