At least eight Afghan policemen have been killed by suspected Taleban rebels in attacks across southern Afghanistan. Three policemen were killed when rebels ambushed a convoy of trucks transporting supplies for the US military in Zabul province. Another five were killed in an attack in neighbouring Helmand province, where a candidate in forthcoming elections was seriously injured in a bomb blast. The Taleban has stepped up attacks ahead of the 18 September polls. More than 1,000 people have been killed in the upsurge of violence in the past six months.