Taliban insurgents have shot dead 12 civilians in two separate incidents.

Taliban insurgents have shot dead 12 civilians in two separate incidents, Afghan officials say on Tuesday.

The bodies of six people were found Tuesday morning in the Gulran district of western Herat province, said Jamel Danish, media adviser for the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation.

The six were kidnapped on Sunday by the Taliban and killed after negotiations failed.

Five worked for an international non-governmental organization and one worked for the ministry.

Rohullah Samon, spokesman for eastern Paktia province, said six unidentified civilians were found Tuesday by a roadside.