Taliban Murder Six Hostages

(Kabul, Afghanistan) The Taliban admitted killing six people in southern Afghanistan as violence escalates in the run up to the country's September 18 elections. The body of British engineer David Addison was found yesterday during a search by Afghan and U.S.-led troops in the southwest Farah Province. Addison had been abducted three days ago.

According to a cell phone text-message from Taliban spokesman, Abdul Latif Hakimi, "Late today a British military follower, David, was killed in Fararud district of Farah province, in an area called Koh-i-Zur."

Also killed were election candidate, Hajji Khan Muhammad Yakubi, District Chief Muhammad Nawab Khan, and three security guards. They had been abducted Friday while traveling in southern Afghanistan about 50 miles from Kandahar.