Attacks Attest to Afghan Insurgents' Spring Offensive.

KABUL, Afghanistan -- In a further sign that the insurgents' spring offensive is under way, suicide bombers struck in western and southern Afghanistan on Tuesday, killing 16 people, according to Afghan officials in Herat and Helmand, where the attacks took place. A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yusuf, claimed that Taliban fighters were responsible for the attack in Helmand, but even hours after the bombing in Herat said he had no information on it. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]