KABUL (Reuters) - The Taliban declared the start of a spring offensive across Afghanistan on Saturday, warning they would target foreign troops, as well as Afghan security forces and top government officials, in a wave of attacks including suicide bombings. In a statement, the Taliban warned Afghan civilians to stay away from public gatherings, military bases and convoys, as well as Afghan government centres and buildings, as these would be the focus of attacks starting on May 1. The Taliban statement comes just a day after senior military officials and Western diplomats warned they expected a surge in insurgent attacks over the next week, beginning on Sunday. The Leadership Council of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants to declare the launching of the spring military operations named as 'Badar to be waged against the invading Americans and their foreign allies and internal supports, the Taliban said in an emailed statement. Operations will focus on attacks against military centres, places of gatherings, airbases, ammunition and logistical military convoys of the foreign invaders in all parts of the country, the Taliban said. Senior military officials told Reuters on Friday that recent intelligence reporting indicated the campaign of increased violence would last about a week and would be mounted by the Taliban, supported by the Al-Qaeda-linked Haqqani network and other insurgents. Washington and commanders of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) have trumpeted successes against a growing insurgency since 30,000 extra US troops were sent to Afghanistan last year. The Taliban said the targets of the attacks would be foreign forces, high-ranking officials of President Hamid Karzais government, members of the cabinet and lawmakers, as well as the heads of foreign and local companies working for the NATO-led coalition. All Afghan people should bear in mind to keep away from gatherings, convoys and centres of the enemy so that they will not become harmed during attacks of Mujahideen against the enemy, the Taliban said.