Multiple suicide attacks kill 27 in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan — A health official says the death toll in multiple suicide bombings in southwestern Afghanistan has risen to 27.

The head of the Nimroz provincial health department says 110 people were wounded in Tuesday's attacks in different parts of the city of Zaranj. Health director Noor Ahmad Shirzada cited reports from four hospitals.

Police say at least three of the attackers' suicide vests exploded but several more bombers were involved. Nimroz police chief Musa Rasouli says authorities killed two would-be bombers Monday night, captured three more Tuesday morning and killed several others in the afternoon before they could detonate their explosives.

Taliban insurgents and their allies have been ratcheting up attacks as international troops increasingly hand over security responsibility to Afghan forces.