Roadside bombs kill five in Afghanistan -witnesses

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan, May 17 (Reuters) At least five police officers were killed in two separate roadside bomb blasts in Afghanistan today, witnesses and officials said, in the latest sign of rising violence in the country.

One of the explosions killed at least four police in the southern city of Kandahar, a bastion for Taliban guerrillas.

The second attack occurred in Faizabad, the provincial capital of northeastern Badakhshan province.

The province's top police officer was wounded. One of his bodyguards was killed and another wounded.

Police vehicles were hit in both attacks.

There has been a surge of violence in the country in recent months by suspected Taliban after the traditional winter lull.

REUTERS DS PM1142