Suicide attacks by Taliban kill at least 16

Taliban suicide bombers killed at least 16 people Tuesday as the militia stepped up its fight against Afghan forces slowly taking the lead from U.S. and international troops.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attacks — one in the western region of Herat and the other in the southern province of Helmand.

The deadliest attack was in Herat, when a vehicle packed with explosives blew up outside the Guzara district police office, said Raouf Ahmedi, a spokesman for the police commander of the western region of Afghanistan.