10 killed by Taliban in Afghanistan

Kabul, Nov 6 (IANS/EFE) At least nine civilians and a policeman were shot dead by the Taliban in the eastern Afghan province of Paktia, an official said. adding their bodies were found Thursday.

The victims were kidnapped and later executed late Wednesday in the district of Zurmar, provincial governor's spokesperson Rohula Samoon said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement in which it said the dead were eight policemen and an intelligence service agent, according to the Khaama daily.

Afghanistan is witnessing one of its bloodiest periods since last year, when local forces took charge of security after the gradual withdrawal of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force, which will conclude by the end of 2014.

In the first six months of this year, 1,564 civilians lost their lives, 17 percent more than in the first half of 2013, while the number of wounded rose by 28 percent to 3,289.

The US will keep 9,800 soldiers in the country until the end of 2015 and will progressively reduce its forces to the necessary minimum for security operations and diplomatic tasks until the end of 2016 under a bilateral Security Agreement signed in September.

--IANS/EFE

vr/vt