Afghan and international forces have killed about 40 Taliban fighters east of the Afghan capital Kabul as part of operations to provide security ahead of parliamentary elections next month, Nato said today.

US and Afghan officials said a rare rocket attack today on the main US base in Afghanistan killed two US troops and wounded six Americans.

An explosion outside the main US military base in Afghanistan killed at least two people and wounded 12 during a visit by US Vice President Dick Cheney.