Three suicide bombers kill 20 in SE Afghanistan

KHOST, Afghanistan - Three suicide bombers killed 20 people in an attack on a construction firm in a restive province in southeastern Afghanistan, government officials said on Monday, with the Taliban claiming responsibility for the assault.

Violence in Afghanistan has spiraled in the past year, with Taliban-led militants stepping up their fight against the Afghan government as Kabul prepares to take over responsibility for security gradually from foreign forces.

The attackers forced their way into the company's compound in the Bermel district of volatile Paktika province on Sunday night after killing a security guard, and then detonated a truck laden with explosives, the Interior Ministry said.