Afghan senator killed by police

Kabul, 23 Dec-(ANA)-An Afghan senator was shot dead by police when his car failed to stop at a checkpoint, the interior ministry says.

Senator Mohammad Younus was driving home when he was shot in Pol-e Khomri, capital of northern Baghlan province.

Police say they ordered Mr Younus's car to stop and opened fire when it failed to do so. A gun battle then broke out with his bodyguards, they say.

The checkpoint had been set up as part of a planned ambush of Taliban fighters following a clash on Tuesday.

There are conflicting reports about whether another person who died alongside Mr Younus was his son or his driver.

An investigation has been ordered, officials said.

Mr Younus was a member of Afghanistan's upper house of parliament from Baghlan.

The province has seen a marked rise in violence this year.

Earlier this month, gunmen attacked a police post on the main highway from the capital, Kabul, to Baghlan, killing eight policemen.

Reports said Tuesday's clash left four police and four Taliban dead. (ANA)

FA/ANA/23 December 2009---