Insiders Drug, Kill 17 Afghan Cops

Taliban takes credit for new insider attack
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 27, 2013 9:16 AM CST
Insiders Drug, Kill 17 Afghan Cops
Afghan security forces leave the scene after the Kabul traffic police headquarters building was attacked by militants in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, Jan. 21, 2013. Police say a Taliban raid of the Kabul traffic police headquarters is over and that three police officers and at least five insurgents have...   (AP Photo/Musadeq Sadeq)

In the latest Afghan police insider attack, 17 officers were drugged at dinner and killed while they were passed out. Two policemen have reportedly been arrested in the Ghazni province attack; officials say they're Taliban members. After shooting the victims—seven of whom were still in training—the escaping attackers stole their weapons and burned a police car.

The Taliban took credit for the attack in an email to reporters. "By eliminating these corrupt (militia members), oppression has been weakened and decreased in the area," the message said, citing police "atrocities and crimes." Taliban members have managed to enter the police force thanks to local officials' meddling in the recruitment process, a Ghazni activist tells the New York Times. The killings follow other insider drug attacks in December and January, the Times notes—but this seems to be the deadliest. (More Afghanistan stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X