Insurgent Mortar Attack Kills Five in Afghanistan

At least five members of a family have been killed after an insurgent mortar hit their house in eastern Afghanistan, Afghan provincial authorities said Saturday.

"Five Afghan civilians, four women and a man were killed in an enemy mortar attack in Alingar district of Laghman province late Friday evening," provincial police chief, Daud Amin, told Agence France Presse.

Amin said eleven other members of the family were wounded in the mortar attack.

Laghman provincial governor spokesman, Sarhadi Zwak, confirmed the mortar attack and gave the same death toll. 

Zwak said women and children were among the wounded in the attack.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. 

It comes as the Taliban insurgents have announced their annual spring offensive -- vowing to target Afghan police, army and intelligence officials.