'Pakistan-linked' attack on Kabul foiled: Officials

Afghan, Nato forces capture 5 insurgents allegedly linked to militants in Pakistan; seize large cache of explosives.

KABUL: Afghan and Nato forces foiled a series of suicide attacks on Kabul planned for Sunday when they captured five insurgents allegedly linked to militants in Pakistan, officials said.

The group was "finalising plans for an attack in the capital" and a large cache of explosives, suicide vest parts, weapons and ammunition were seized in the overnight operation, Nato's International Security Assistance Force said.

The "sophisticated suicide attacks" would have targeted the Afghan parliament and the residence of Second Vice President Mohammad Karim Khalili, Afghanistan's intelligence agency said.

One of the five was a Pakistani national and the group was in possession of Afghan army uniforms and Pakistani identity documents, currency and cellphone numbers, the National Directorate for Security said.

"The evidence indicates they had connections with the terrorists beyond the border with Pakistan," the agency said.

Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of harbouring Taliban insurgents fighting to overthrow the Western-backed government of President Hamid Karzai.

Earlier this month, Afghan officials said five insurgents planning a major attack on an area of Kabul home to Western embassies were killed in a pre-dawn gunbattle in the capital.