DHAKA: Taliban fighters kidnapped 27 police officers during an assault on a northeastern province in Afghanistan, authorities said on Thursday, part of the extremist group's spring offensive ahead of the withdrawal of foreign troops at the end of this year.

Gen. Fazeluddin Ayar, the police chief in Badakhshan province, said that the 27 officers were hiding in a cave during the Taliban attack on Wednesday in Yamgan district.

The Taliban took the officers hostage and police have launched an effort to try and find them, Ayar said, reports The Times of India.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a message to journalists. The militants routinely execute security forces they capture.

Insurgents ambushed several police checkpoints in Badakhshan province, killing at least six police officers in Yamgan district, Ayar said Wednesday.

The fighting started late Tuesday and lasted into Wednesday.

BDST: 1624 HRS, MAY 22, 2014