Today's killings in Nad-e-Ali ,the joint highest death toll for British soldiers in the Afghan conflict, was carried out by one of Captain Laljan's men, probably with the help of others in the rank, raising fears in the ranks of the troops that they cannot turn their backs on the men who are supposed to be allies against the insurgents. ... Four weeks ago a policeman in Wardak province opened fire on American soldiers out on patrol, killing two of them before fleeing. Last year, over a period of less than a month, Afghan police twice attacked US forces, killing two soldiers and wounding three others. Last week men in police uniforms forced their way into a guest house in Kabul and murdered five UN election workers. They were not members of the force, but had police issue radio transmitters and detailed information on the target of their attack, which, say investigators, could only have come from official sources. It is in the Helmand frontline, in areas like Nad-e-Ali, that there is the most apprehension that police officers may switch sides - either due to intimidation or money or religious and ideological commitment.
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Four weeks ago a policeman in Wardak province opened fire on American soldiers out on patrol, killing two of them before fleeing. Last year, over a period of less than a month, Afghan police twice attacked US forces, killing two soldiers and wounding three others. Last week men in police uniforms forced their way into a guest house in Kabul and murdered five UN election workers. They were not members of the force, but had police issue radio transmitters and detailed information on the target of their attack, which, say investigators, could only have come from official sources.
It is in the Helmand frontline, in areas like Nad-e-Ali, that there is the most apprehension that police officers may switch sides - either due to intimidation or money or religious and ideological commitment.
A major fissure opens up in Labour's support for the Afghan war with a call from the former Foreign Office minister Kim Howells for the phased withdrawal of British troops from Helmand.
The challenger in Afghanistan's recent presidential election said Wednesday that President Hamid Karzai has come to power illegally and will not be able to rein in corruption or serve as a reliable partner in the fight against the Taliban.Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah spoke a day after five British soldiers were killed in a shooting in southern Helmand province. Afghan authorities said the attack was carried out by an Afghan policeman who opened fire on the British troops.Abdullah said the Afghan government had squandered eight years of opportunity and the assistance of its Western allies by failing to stop corruption or create a government that responds to the needs of the Afghan people.
The challenger in Afghanistan's recent presidential election said Wednesday that President Hamid Karzai has come to power illegally and will not be able to rein in corruption or serve as a reliable partner in the fight against the Taliban.
Former Foreign Minister Abdullah Abdullah spoke a day after five British soldiers were killed in a shooting in southern Helmand province. Afghan authorities said the attack was carried out by an Afghan policeman who opened fire on the British troops.
Abdullah said the Afghan government had squandered eight years of opportunity and the assistance of its Western allies by failing to stop corruption or create a government that responds to the needs of the Afghan people.
The Taliban have claimed responsibility for a gun attack that killed five British soldiers and injured several others in Helmand province, the prime minister, Gordon Brown told the Commons today.The soldiers - who were tonight named by the Ministry of Defence as Warrant Officer Darren Chant, Sergeant Matthew Telford, Guardsman James Major, Acting Corporal Steven Boote and Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith - were killed when an Afghan policeman opened fire at a checkpoint in the Nad-e'Ali district yesterday.A manhunt has been launched to find the gunman, who apparently fired without warning, then fled. Another six UK servicemen and two Afghan National Police (ANP) officers were injured. Four of the soldiers were killed immediately and the fifth died of his wounds, said the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).The incident happened at around 3.15pm at a checkpoint on the edge of Shin Kalay, a collection of houses just 400 metres away from Nad-e-Ali district centre. The gunman was on the roof of the checkpoint when he opened fire.
The Taliban have claimed responsibility for a gun attack that killed five British soldiers and injured several others in Helmand province, the prime minister, Gordon Brown told the Commons today.
The soldiers - who were tonight named by the Ministry of Defence as Warrant Officer Darren Chant, Sergeant Matthew Telford, Guardsman James Major, Acting Corporal Steven Boote and Corporal Nicholas Webster-Smith - were killed when an Afghan policeman opened fire at a checkpoint in the Nad-e'Ali district yesterday.
A manhunt has been launched to find the gunman, who apparently fired without warning, then fled. Another six UK servicemen and two Afghan National Police (ANP) officers were injured. Four of the soldiers were killed immediately and the fifth died of his wounds, said the Nato-led International Security Assistance Force (Isaf).
The incident happened at around 3.15pm at a checkpoint on the edge of Shin Kalay, a collection of houses just 400 metres away from Nad-e-Ali district centre. The gunman was on the roof of the checkpoint when he opened fire.
