Kabul, April 2 (IANS): A district police chief was killed when a mine planted by militants struck his vehicle in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province on Thursday, an official said said.
"Taliban militants attacked a police checkpoint in Mirmandab area of Gereshk district in the early hours of Thursday and district police chief Hekmatullah Hakmal headed towards the post to help, but on the way his vehicle ran over a mine killing him on the spot," Xinhua news agency quoted provincial police chief Nabi Jan Mullahkhil as telling reporters in Helmand's capital Lashkar Gah.
Afghan security forces launched operations against Taliban militants in parts of Helmand province, including Gereshk district, some two months ago and so far hundreds of the insurgents have been killed, according to officials.