At least 7 police officers killed in Herat blast

At least seven police officers have been killed by a roadside bomb in Herat province of western Afghanistan. Herat chief of police spokesman Abdul Rauf Ahmedi said a bomb placed by a roadside was detonated by an explosive device. Ahmedi stated that 7 police officers were killed and 2 were injured. Afghan officials say the incident took place on Tuesday when a police patrol vehicle heading to Herat city hit a bomb in Obe district. The vehicle was said to have been totally destroyed due to strong explosion and the bodies of the police officers who lost their lives were at unidentified condition. So far no one has claimed responsibility for the bombing but Afghan officials blamed on Taliban militants for the blast. Close combat in Helmand Armed conflict between Afghan security forces and Taliban have continued in Helmand province in Afghanistan. In a statement, Hermand governor's office indicated that around thousand Taliban militants attacked Sengin town of Helmand and the close combat lasted for hours. In the close combat, 4 police officers got killed while 5 were injured and tens of Taliban militants were neutralized. Ahmedi called on Afghan people to stay away from police officers and soldiers and NATO personnel.