‘Rogue’ Afghan Policeman Shoots Five British Soldiers Dead

A “rogue” Afghan policeman has shot dead five British soldiers at a check point and hunt is on to nab him, said officials.

According to a statement issued in London by the Ministry of Defence, the soldiers were killed as a consequence of gunshot injuries attack in the Nad-e’Ali district of Helmand Province on Tuesday afternoon.

The soldiers had been mentoring Afghan police and living inside the checkpoint.

“Initial reports suggest that it was a member of the Afghan National Police who fired without warning. The incident happened at a checkpoint and he fired before anyone could respond,” said a military spokesman.

“This matter is subject to a parallel investigation between the British Military Police and the Afghan Police.”

And he said: “It’s our understanding that one individual Afghan National Policeman, possibly in conjunction with another, went rogue. His motives and whereabouts are unknown at this time.

“Every effort is now being put into hunting down those responsible for this attack.”

Of the five soldiers, three belonged to the Grenadier Guards and two the Royal Military Police. Their families have been informed.

With these killings, so far a total of 229 troops have been killed since operations in Afghanistan began in October 2001. Of them, at least 193 were killed as a result of hostile action.