Afghan chief executive condemns killing 20 police near Kabul

The Afghan government's Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah Abdullah on Saturday strongly condemned the latest killing of 20 police personnel by the Taliban militants.

"I strongly condemned the killing of more than 20 security force members following attack on security checkpoints in Wardak province," Abdullah said in a statement.

More than 20 Afghan Local Police (ALP) personnel, 30 militants and two civilians were killed after Taliban attacked security checkpoints in Jalrez district of eastern Wardak province, 34 km west of Kabul on Thursday.

"The vicious attack and the brutal act of killing our security forces would not be without response," Abdullah added.

The government established the ALP, or community police, in 2010 to protect villages and districts around the country where army and police have limited presence.

The Taliban-led insurgency has been rampant since April 24 when the militant group launched its so-called annual spring offensive.

The casualties of Afghan soldiers and police have risen recently as the United States and NATO troops in Afghanistan have switched from combat to support role, namely training, advising and assisting Afghan forces since Jan. 1 this year.