Afghanistan hangs six Taliban inmates

Afghanistan has hanged six Taliban inmates in the first executions since Ashraf Ghani became president in 2014, according to international media reports.

Afghan media report that two of those executed were involved in the killing of former President Burhanuddin Rabbani in 2011, and that all of those hanged were tried and convicted in accordance with the law.

President Ghani had pledged a tougher response to the Taliban after an attack in Kabul last month left 64 dead. The attack was termed one of the worst in the country for years.

The group "perpetrated grave crimes against civilians and public security", the presidential palace said.

Taliban fighters attacked police checkpoints on the outskirts of Lashkar Gah, the main city in Helmand province, on the same day, bringing an end to a break in the fighting observed during the annual opium harvest in Helmand, a Taliban stronghold.

The Taliban said it overran two checkpoints, killing 15 security officers, however,  police said 14 fighters were killed before the group was driven off.

Peace efforts stalled this year after the Taliban refused to participate in new talks with the Afghan government until foreign forces left the country.

Nato ended its combat mission in Afghanistan in December 2014, leaving a 13,000-strong residual force used for training and counter-terrorism operations, including 9,800 US troops.