1st LD Writethru: 3 civilians shot dead in Afghanistan

Three civilians, including a woman, were shot dead by suspected militants in Afghanistan's northern province of Takhar on Sunday night, police said on Monday.

"According to initial information, a group of militants broke into a house in Bazaar-e-Kohna locality of Yangi Qala district late Sunday night. The gunmen shot and killed the father, mother and son of the family besides searching their house," Abdul Khalil Aseer, the provincial police spokesman, told Xinhua.

The motive behind the killing remained unknown, the police source said, adding that an investigation has been launched into the incident.

The province, with Taluqan as its capital, 245 km north of Afghan capital of Kabul, has been the scene of heavy clashes between security forces and militants over the past couple of months.

Local residents blamed Taliban militants for the murder.

The Taliban militant group, which ruled the country before they were ousted in late 2001, renewed armed insurgency, staging ambushes and suicide attacks, killing combatants as well as civilians.

The Taliban urged civilians to stay away from official gatherings, military convoys and centers regarded as the legitimate targets by militants besides warning people not to support the government. Enditem