Suspected Taliban fighters have killed seven people working for an international aid group in southern Afghanistan, an official said.

The attack is the second in two days against Western groups helping to rebuild the war-shattered country.

The nationality of the victims and the name of the relief group were not immediately known, said Ali Khail, the spokesman for the government in Zabul province.

The seven were driving on the main highway linking the nation's capital, Kabul, with the southern city of Kandahar when they were ambushed in Zabul province's Shahjoy district, he said.

Afghan police and soldiers have been deployed to the area, the official said.

The attack came a day after suspected Taliban fighters ambushed and shot to death five Afghans working on a US-funded project to help end opium farming in the south of the country.

Fighters have stepped up attacks on military and civilian targets after a winter lull, further impeding aid to the impoverished region.

Aid workers have been targeted as part of a drive to undermine recovery under the US-backed government that replaced Taliban.

PHOTO CAPTION

Afghan special rapid reaction police forces are deployed in Kabul, Afghanistan to check points on the edges of the city to seal access roads into the capital Thursday May 19, 2005. (AP)