Afghan official: 13 civilians shot dead by unknown gunmen

An Afghan official says 13 people have been shot dead in a previously peaceful region in the country’s north.

Munir Ahmad Farhad, spokesman for the governor of Balkh province, say “at least 13 civilians” were killed Saturday by unidentified gunmen. Zareh is in a remote, mountainous area of Balkh, which borders Uzbekistan. Mr. Farhad says police are investigating the incident.

Until this year, the northern provinces were largely free of the violence that has blighted Afghanistan in a Taliban-led insurgency for almost 14 years.

With the launch in April of their summer offensive, however, the insurgents have spread the fight to almost every corner of the country.