Food poisoning has, for centuries, been a preferred way to dispose of rivals.

Still going strong in Afghanistan.

“A cook and a policeman first food-poisoned their colleagues in their post, and after they fell unconscious they were shot dead,” provincial spokesman Ahmad Zeerak told AFP on Saturday.

He said the policeman involved in the shooting had been arrested but the cook was still at large.

Farid Ahmad Farhang, a provincial police spokesman, confirmed the incident.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, according to purported spokesman Yousif Ahmadi, who said eight policemen were

Afghan police are the key force in supporting US-led NATO forces in a war against Taliban militants.