Taliban militants behead 2 Afghan civilians

KABUL, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- Taliban militants fighting the Afghan government in the latest wave of violence have beheaded two civilians in the western Farah province, a local newspaper reported Tuesday.

"The armed Taliban fighters kidnapped five persons in Khak-e-Safid district of Farah district Monday and beheaded two and released the remaining three after a few hours," Arman-e-Millie said.

Taliban militants claimed responsibility for the beheading, saying they were punished for spying for foreign troops.

However, provincial police chief Faqir Mohammad Askar rejected the claim, saying the victims were innocent government employees.

Taliban militants had in the past too beheaded several persons on similar charges.