Taliban ambush Afghan government convoy, kill 11

GHAZNI, Afghanistan, Oct 1 (Reuters) Taliban insurgents ambushed an Afghan government convoy and killed 11 policemen, a provincial official said today.

The attack happened yesterday in Ghazni province to the southwest of Kabul, the official said. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

Violence has surged in the past 20 months in Afghanistan, the bloodiest period since US-led troops and Afghan forces overthrew Taliban's government in 2001.

Nearly 8,000 people have been killed during that period.

REUTERS SKB KN1606