Afghan officials: at least 9 civilians killed in 2 attacks

KABUL – At least nine civilians have been killed in separate attacks in Afghanistan, including a suicide bombing and a mass shooting, Afghan officials said Saturday.

At least two civilians were killed after a suicide bomber on a motorbike targeted a local tribal elder in eastern Nangarhar province, according to the deputy spokesman for the provincial governor.

Noor Ahmad Habibi said that 11 others were wounded in the attack, which took place in Jalalabad, the provincial capital.

The bomber was targeting local tribal elder Hayatullah Khan, who escaped unhurt, Habibi said.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The Taliban are known to be active in the province.

In southern Kandahar province unknown gunmen shot and killed seven civilians, said Zia Durani, spokesman for the provincial police chief. He said the victims included four men and three women, and a police investigation was underway.

Taliban insurgents attacked Afghan local police check points in Kandahar province late Friday night, killing five policemen, Durani said. Four insurgents were killed in the battle, which took place in Maiwand district, he added.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in Kandahar province.

On Thursday, Taliban twin suicide bombers attacked a convoy of Afghan police cadets outside the Afghan capital, Kabul, killing 37 people — mostly policemen — and wounding 40 others.