Afghan officials say three blasts in southern Afghanistan have killed two Afghan policemen and three national intelligence officers. Insurgents frequently target Afghan security forces and government officials in an effort to weaken the government. Kandahar provincial spokesman Ahmad Jawed Faisal says a suicide bomber on foot blew himself up Saturday at an entry checkpoint for the national intelligence office in Maruf district. He says three intelligence officers were killed and four other officers were wounded.

In neighboring Zabul province, twin explosions killed two policemen on Saturday morning. Provincial spokesman Shariullah Nasari says a police vehicle ran over a roadside mine and when other policemen went to assist those in the vehicle, another bomb went off. He says two policemen were killed and three others were wounded in the second blast.