Taliban attacks kill two dozen Afghan police officers in Helmand

At least two dozen Afghan police officers have been killed in a series of attacks by the Taliban militants in the southern province of Helmand in 48 hours, local officials say.

Kareem Atal, the director of Helmand's provincial council, said on Sunday that the policemen were killed during clashes with the militants in Kanashin district.

The fighting intensified late Friday, when the Taliban took control of the troubled district. The clashes have spread to some other districts, where militants are targeting checkpoints, Atal added.

The official said the government compounds in Nad Ali district have been surrounded by the militants.

The fall of Kanashin to the militants and the subsequent threats to other districts were due to a "lack of coordination among Afghan forces," Atal said, adding, "The Afghan national army is not doing their job."

Helmand, a Taliban heartland, has been the scene of fierce fighting for months as the militants have stepped up attacks in the province.

The militants have intensified attacks following the appointment of Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada as the new leader of the Taliban.

SS