Taliban ambush on Afghanistan police convoy leaves 16 dead, 24 kidnapped

Kabul At least 16 Afghan National police officers were killed, 20 more wounded and about two dozen kidnapped late Wednesday when Taliban militants ambushed their convoy traveling through the Wardooj distract of the northern Badakhshan province, according to the chairman of the provincial council.

Mawlawi Zabihullah Atiq told CBS News efforts were already underway to try and secure the release of the kidnapped police, but he would not elaborate on those efforts.

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Wardooj district governor Dawloat Muhamad confirmed the incident to CBS News, but would not comment on the details, saying only that Afghan security officials were involved.

The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in an email to media outlets.

Wardooj has become one of the most volatile districts in the north of the country during the past year.

Filed by CBS News' Mukhtar Ahmad