Two Afghan aid workers killed

KABUL, Afghanistan – Gunmen fired on a car carrying two Afghans from a German relief agency in a former Taliban stronghold, officials said Wednesday, killing them both in another setback to efforts to bring assistance to long-suffering Afghans.

The U.S. military forecast more attacks on civilians – possibly including a major strike in the capital – as tension and violence continue to mount in the run-up to landmark October elections.

The aid workers who were killed Tuesday were returning from work on a project run by the Malteser aid agency in Zurmat district of Paktia, 75 miles south of Kabul, when shots were fired at their car from a passing vehicle.

Mohammed Idrees Sadiq died at the scene, while the other, 19-year-old Emal Abdul Samad, died after being flown to a U.S. military hospital at Bagram, north of Kabul, the group said.

The German group said it was “shocked” and suspended its activities in the region until further notice.

Civilians have been increasingly targeted in a wave of violence that has left more than 700 people dead this year, including 24 aid workers killed in attacks blamed mainly on Taliban militants.