Bomb attack kills 3 policemen in Kabul

A roadside bomb targeting police involved in poppy eradication killed three officers and wounded three others in western Afghanistan.

A roadside bomb targeting police involved in poppy eradication killed three officers and wounded three others in western Afghanistan, officials said on Monday.

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Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of opium poppies, from which heroin is derived. Poppy production is a major component of the Afghan economy.

The policemen were returning to their base Sunday after a day of destroying poppy fields in western Farah province when a roadside blast hit their vehicle, said police spokesman Barijalaj Khan.

In western Ghor province, meanwhile, a clash Sunday between poppy farmers and police involved in eradication left one civilian dead and two wounded, said deputy provincial Governor Kramuddin Rezazada.

Some 500 people had gathered to protest against government attempts at poppy eradication, following last year's record crop.

In 2006, poppy production in the country rose 49 percent to 6,700 tons — enough to make about 670 tons of heroin.

The government rejected US offers spray the fields with herbicides and pledged it would step up poppy eradication using tractors and manpower.