Mortar attack in northern Afghanistan leaves 5 dead

KABUL — An Afghan official says a mortar attack in northern Takhar province killed five civilians, including four children, all from the same family.

Provincial governor spokesman Sunatullah Timor said Friday the incident a day earlier occurred when Taliban fighters attacked a security post. One of the mortars hit a nearby home, killing everyone inside.

In the same district of Khwaja Bahuddin, Taliban fighters killed a local security policeman and his wife and mother, Timor said.

Taliban infiltration into the northern provinces is increasing as the weather improves.