Taliban thugs dress as Western forces to extort passing drivers at gunpoint

Heavily-armed Taliban thugs in army uniforms and driving US military vehicles have set up checkpoints to extort passing travellers at gunpoint.

Many have switched their traditional black robes, belts and turbans for NATO-style fatigues.

They are demanding an illegal toll from those using roads just outside Kandahar, Afghanistan.

National Highway One links the city with the capital Kabul and refusal to pay can result in death.

In all, 456 British soldiers were killed fighting the Taliban but now the fanatics are controlling the very roads they died protecting.

Afghan Army make vehicle checks (*)

They are using every piece of NATO kit and clothing they can steal or buy, including an armoured Humvee stolen from the Afghan Army. They wield American-made M16 assault rifles.

Army bush hats have replaced their turbans and they wear knee protectors left behind by foreign forces and sold in markets.

Their black masks and official Taliban white flag reveal they are part of the terror group – along with their willingness to murder those who refuse to pay the toll.

An Afghan government worker took the grainy picture above, which shows an armed convoy with the flag on the third truck.

Taliban fighters display their weapons during a patrol in Ghazni province in their classic black robes (AFP/Getty Images)

The 35-year-old, who did not want to be named, said all passing vehicles were stopped.

Terrified car passengers were forced to hand over £5 with those in trucks paying £25.

Some were initially confused by what appeared to be Afghan Army or even coalition troops. The official said: “National Highway One was where the British patrolled.

“It almost looked as if they were back because of the uniforms but unfortunately it is the Taliban.

“Now they look like the British soldiers who used to protect us.

“It is like a bad dream. They are everywhere again. I didn’t see anyone shot because everyone paid, but it is happening.

“They are very bad people.”

The British Army entered Afghanistan in 2001 as part of a coalition seeking al-Qaeda leaders.

By the end of 2001 the Taliban regime had collapsed but its fighters staged an insurgency.

British casualties were high. In 2009, 108 died. In 2014, combat troops were withdrawn.