Taliban Begins 'Spring Offensive' In Afghanistan

An Afghan policeman looks at a hole in the roof caused by a Taliban rocket following an attack in Ghazni Province on May 12.

The Taliban has begun its annual "spring offensive" with a series of deadly attacks across Afghanistan.

A group of militants stormed a Justice Department office in eastern Nangarhar Province on May 12.

Local officials said militants entered the building in the provincial capital, Jalalabad, killing two guards, and four other employees.

All three attackers were killed by security forces who arrived on the scene. Fighting lasted several hours.

Officials in Ghazni Province, southwest of Kabul, said at least three people were killed when Taliban insurgents attacked a police checkpoint.

Outside the capital, two missiles landed at Kabul's international airport and four rockets struck the Bagram military airbase north of Kabul.

The rocket attacks caused no casualties.

A Taliban statement said last week the militant group was planning to launch its annual "spring offensive" on May 12.
Based on reporting by AFP, AP, RFE/RL's Radio Free Afghanistan, and dpa