Eight Afghan civilians killed in attacks

KABUL - Eight civilians, including four bothers, were killed in a firefight and an explosion in southern Afghanistan, a provincial spokesman said Thursday.

Four civilians were killed in crossfire between Afghan security forces and Taliban fighters in Marjah district in the southern province of Helmand, Daoud Ahmadi, spokesman for the provincial governor, said.

Four others - all brothers - were killed in the detonation of a roadside bomb in Helmand’s Nawzad district, he said. “The brothers were all riding on a motorbike, when the roadside bomb struck them.”

Both incidents happened Tuesday, but due to the remoteness of the area, provincial authorities were informed on Thursday, Ahmadi said.

Southern provinces are the main hub of activity for Taliban militants, who have waged a bloody insurgency against Afghan and international forces.