13 shot dead on Afghanistan passenger bus

KABUL, Afghanistan, March 24 (UPI) -- Gunmen opened fire aboard a bus near the Afghanistan capital of Kabul, killing 13 passengers. All were civilians.

Authorities said another two passengers were critically injured in the shooting along the road that connects Kabul to Kandahar.

"After the shooting, the security forces arrived in the area and began clashing with the insurgents," acting governor's spokesman Abdul Majid Khogyani told Tolo News.

Khogyani addaded that one of the insurgents was killed "while the rest fled the area."

Police are investigating the shooting. The motive is not clear and no one has claimed responsibility. The Taliban has long controlled much of the countryside in this area, but have denied responsibility in the attack. There are unconfirmed reports that the Islamic State is active in the area.

The incident comes as the United States and Afghan leader Ashraf Ghani hold talks about security.