Britain’s military operations in Afghanistan have been harshly criticised by the country’s president Hamid Karzai, local officials and the American commander of Nato troops, according to leaked diplomatic papers.

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

The brick-and-concrete buildings on the Soviet-built air base at Baghram have been perforated by shell fire and blackened with smoke. Most of the roofs were blown off long ago.