From correspondents in Kabul, Afghanistan, 04:00 PM IST

Ten policemen were killed when their vehicle hit a roadside mine in the southern Afghan province of Kandahar, said an official Sunday.

The policemen were patrolling Shah Wali Kot district Saturday when their vehicle struck the roadside mine, Matiwullah Khan, the provincial police chief, said.

The mine was planted by Taliban militants days ago, he added.

Qari Yusuf Ahmadi, the purported Taliban spokesman, claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Taliban fighters have inflicted great casualties on the coalition forces and Afghan government forces in Shah Wali Kot district, where the fighting started three days ago, Ahmadi claimed.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)