Taliban take aim at Afghan civilians

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Taliban killed six civilians in Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday, among a dozen slain in the latest attacks that have seen ordinary people increasingly caught up in the violence, often after being accused of working with the government.

The bodies of four engineers, an adviser and a trainer employed on a project funded by the United Nations were discovered Tuesday in Herat province, officials said, an area in the west that’s seen less violence than other parts of Afghanistan. The Taliban claimed responsibility.

This followed by a few hours the discovery of the bodies of six civilians shot in eastern Paktia province.

A civilian was also wounded Tuesday in Kabul when a suicide bomber on a bicycle detonated explosives near the Energy Ministry after being followed by security forces, city police Chief Mohammad Ayub Salangi said. It wasn’t immediately clear what his intended target was.

In attacking civilians they accuse of supporting the government or foreign troops, the Taliban hope to draw a distinction between themselves and the administration of President Hamid Karzai, who they dismiss as a U.S. puppet, analysts said.

This, the movement believes, will force the electorate to reject the government as the Taliban attempt to boost their political standing through violence, intimidation and propaganda in advance of next year’s election and the withdrawal of Western combat troops, they added.

Karzai condemned the killings, suggesting that Pakistan may have had an indirect role, as he wrapped up a two-day visit in that country.

“The killing of innocent engineers and workers shows that the Taliban and their foreign masters want Afghanistan to be a impoverished and underdeveloped country forever,” he said, an apparent reference to foreign powers that include Pakistan.

Karzai has frequently accused Pakistan of supporting peace efforts while elements within the country support Afghanistan’s insurgency, part of a dual strategy aimed at expanding its influence in Afghanistan. Islamabad has long denied the allegations.

On Monday, Karzai called for Pakistan’s help in arranging peace talks with the Taliban in a meeting with Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, his first visit in 18 months. At Sharif’s request, Karzai prolonged his visit through Tuesday as the leaders discussed regional security issues.

No results were announced, although the meetings included Pakistan’s powerful army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, and reportedly focused on more difficult issues between the countries.