Afghan anti-drugs workers killed

Taleban fighters regularly attack international troops and workers

Suspected Taleban militants have ambushed and killed five Afghans working on a US-funded anti-drugs project in the south of the country.

Gunmen attacked as the group drove through Helmand province, 180km (110 miles) from the city of Kandahar.

Two of the men worked on an irrigation project run by US company Chemonics. A government engineer, driver and guard also died.

Taleban militants recently stepped up attacks in Afghanistan.

A spokeswoman for Chemonics, a consulting firm based in Washington, confirmed the attack, adding that there had been no direct warning to company staff.

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Afghanistan

Chemonics works with the US Agency for International Development on public works projects in Afghanistan, such as rebuilding roads and irrigation schemes to provide opium farmers with alternative livelihoods.

Afghanistan produced about 90% of the world's opium in 2004.

Officials there have warned that the country faces effective collapse if levels of opium cultivation are not reduced.

Fighters loyal to the country's former Taleban rulers, ousted by a US-led invasion in late 2001, have a strong presence near their former stronghold of Kandahar.

There have been a string of attacks since April on US and Afghan forces in southern Afghanistan.