Forced to fight as soldiers and taking casualties, Afghan police demand reforms


FILE PHOTO: Afghan police officers keep watch at their forward base on the outskirts of Kunduz province, Afghanistan November 26, 2017. REUTERS/Nasir Wakif

GHAZNI, Afghanistan/KABUL (Reuters) - Afghanistan's poorly armed and underpaid police are usually on the frontlines against Taliban militants and they lost 90 men defending the strategic city of Ghazni last month, underlining chronic weaknesses that are likely to face further tests.

The four days of intense fighting in Ghazni have highlighted problems, including resentment of the regular military, that are increasing as the insurgents step up pressure to disrupt parliamentary elections next month.

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