Taliban strike Afghan security checkpoints, kill 8 cops

KABUL: The Afghan Taliban conducted raids on three security checkpoints on Tuesday night killing eight policemen in the western province of Farah, Afghan officials confirmed.

The militants used night-vision goggles during the attack and quickly overran the posts. Kabul has accused Russia of arming the Taliban, claiming that such devices typically bear Russian markings.

Moscow has denied providing military assistance to the Taliban, saying its relationship with the Taliban is focused on fighting the rising threat of so-called Islamic State in Afghanistan and for supporting peace talks with the Afghan government.

Afgan officials allege other sources for the night-vision equipment include purchasing on the black market in Pakistan and from civilian hunting stores in former Soviet countries. The Taliban are also known to have used captured US military equipment, including Humvees.

There is uncertainty over the number of casualties. The provincial governor put the number at eight but a Taliban spokesman claimed capturing 10 policemen and inflicting 26 casualties.