At least 50 people died in gun battles between the Taliban and another Islamist faction in north-eastern Afghanistan today.

Afghanistan’s election was hailed by the West as a victory for democracy as millions defied threats to cast ballots in the country’s second national elections since Taliban rule.

Gunmen riding on a motorcycle opened fire on a former regional Taliban leader in south-western Pakistan today, killing him before fleeing, police said.

A suspected suicide bomber was thwarted by a traffic accident only 300 yards away from the US embassy in Kabul, a top Afghan intelligence official said today.