Violence claim 17 lives in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, May 24, (KUNA) --At least eight civilians, six policemen and three rebels were killed and nine others wounded during separate incidents of violence in Afghanistan's southern Ghazni, central Maidan Wardak and western Farah provinces, said officials on Sunday.
Five policeman were killed in a firefight with insurgents in Balabolak district of western Farah province, police chief Fazil Yar said in a statement, adding that militants attacked the policemen when they were on their way to Farah City, the provincial capital. "In the ensuing gun battle, five policemen were killed and another wounded," he confirmed.
Moreover, Governor's spokesman for Ghazni, Shafiq Nang, told media that one Afghan Local Police commander and three militants were killed in a firefight in Qarabagh district of Ghazni when insurgents mounted attack on a police check post. Meanwhile, a man, his wife and their two sons were killed in a roadside bomb explosion planted by militants in Abu Jan village of Gilan district in Ghazni, said the spokesman.
In another incident of violence, two civilians were killed and six others wounded in Daimirdad district of Maidan Wardak province on Sunday, said Attaullah Khogyani, the governor's spokesman. Confirming the casualties he said that the incident took place when a roadside bomb hit a civilian car in Sultan Khail area of the district.
The incidents of violence came at a time when Taliban rebels have paced up their attacks following their annual spring offensive against the security forces. (end) sbk.hb