KABUL: Afghan authorities say five civilians have died in three explosions in southern and northern Afghanistan.

Spokesman for the southern Kandahar province Zalmai Ayubi says the first explosion occurred Saturday morning in Khakrez district, when a four-wheel-drive taxi in a rural area hit a roadside bomb, killing three civilians.

In neighboring Maiwand district, an Afghan man was killed when his motorcycle hit a road mine Saturday morning.

In the north, a government transportation director was killed in an explosion midday Saturday.

Police spokesman in Kunduz province Sarwar Hussini says 16 others were wounded when a remote-controlled bomb planted on a bicycle detonated as the official's car was passing.