Kabul scare for Kiwi police chief

A Taleban rocket landed only 300m from New Zealand Police Commissioner Howard Broad during his recent visit to Afghanistan.

Mr Broad said he was in his sleeping quarters in a compound in the capital, Kabul, when he heard thumps.

"It was a bunch of thumps, with one big thump. About an hour, later there was another bunch. We learned there had been 10 rockets fired into Kabul."

Mr Broad said his mind had raced as to whether it was artillery going out or coming in before he learned details.

"It brought home that you are never entirely without risk."

Mr Broad was in Afghanistan to visit the three police officers stationed with New Zealand soldiers in Bamiyan province.

He said they were mentoring senior Afghan national police and he was impressed by their work.

The commissioner said this impression was reinforced when he learned that Afghan police had captured Taleban leader Mullah Borhan shortly before he arrived.

Mr Broad said he watched the local police chief "feted by local townspeople" because of the capture.