Afghan Taliban say they recruited killer soldier

Kabul: The Afghan Taliban said yesterday they had recruited an Afghan soldier who shot dead four French soldiers a day earlier, raising fears the militant group had managed to deepen its infiltration of the country's struggling security forces.

The killings prompted France to threaten an early pull-out from the Nato-led war.

The claim of responsibility raises serious concerns about handing control of security over to the Afghan army and police, which Nato-led forces are currently in the process of doing before all foreign combat troops leave by the end of 2014.

"The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has recruited people in important positions," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told Reuters by telephone from an undisclosed location, using another name the Islamist group call themselves.

"Some of them have already accomplished their missions."

The four French soldiers died on the spot, he said. The killings in Kapisa province were the latest in a string of such attacks in which Afghan troops turn on their Western allies and mentors.

While Nato has blamed Taliban infiltration in the past, it has also said stress, indiscipline and divided loyalties within the hastily trained ranks played a role.

Such attacks are especially damaging as the Afghan National Army tries to win public trust before foreign troops leave.