1st LD Writethru: 5 female workers, driver killed in S. Afghan shooting

Five female airport workers along with a driver were killed after gunmen fired bullets on their vehicle in Kandahar city, capital of Afghanistan's southern province of Kandahar, on Saturday, sources said.

"The firing occurred at around 5:30 a.m. local time in Deh Khoja locality of the city. The victims were travelling to office before their minibus came under attack in the city, 450 km south of Kabul, capital of Afghanistan," Samim Khpalwak, provincial government spokesman, told Xinhua.

The attackers fled the scene shortly after the firing and an investigation has been launched into the incident.

He said a pursuit operation has been launched against the fleeing rebels.

No group or individual have claimed of responsibility so far. However, the official blamed "the enemies of peace and stability", a term referring to Taliban militants, for the attack.

The Taliban outfit had banned education for girls and confined women in house during its six-year reign collapsed in late 2001.

Violence has been on the rise since the drawdown of foreign military forces over the past two years as the Afghan security forces struggle against a surge in attacks by anti-government fighters. Enditem