Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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April 19, 2009

Taliban Militants Storm Afghan Police Post, Kill 5
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=23AF067:A6F02AD83191E16053041B798AC261C0B3350E090FE6A6E8&
 
Authorities say the attack occurred overnight on the outskirts of Farah
city and Afghan authorities are investigating the attack 
Officials in western Afghanistan say Taliban militants have stormed a
police checkpoint and killed five police officers. Afghan policemen
inspect around the site of an explosion in Kandahar, Afghanistan, 18 Apr
2009Authorities say the attack occurred late Saturday night on the
outskirts of Farah city, in the province of the same name. Afghan
authorities are investigating the attack. Earlier Saturday in Farah
province, U.S.-led coalition and Afghan troops killed two militants
after coming under fire while on patrol. Taliban fighters are waging a
growing insurgency in Afghanistan, and security concerns are mounting
ahead of the nation's presidential election in August. Afghan Interior
Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar told a news conference Sunday that
Afghanistan plans to recruit and train 15,000 new police officers before
the vote. The nation's police force currently stands about about 82,000.
U.S. officials have also said they expect violence to rise in the coming
months as the United States increases its troop presence in the country.
U.S. President Barack Obama has announced plans to send an additional
21,000 troops and trainers as part of a new strategy to combat the
Taliban insurgency. Some information for this report was provided by
AFP, AP and Reuters. 


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