Afghan police say Taliban suicide bombers have attacked a lakeside hotel north of Kabul, and that militants armed with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades have taken hostages and are continuing to fight Afghan security forces there.

AT LEAST five suicide bombers attacked a major hotel frequented by Westerners in Afghanistan’s capital, a senior police officer said, with fighting continuing as police cleared the building.

The Taliban took aim at Afghanistan’s intelligence services today, killing four people and injuring more than 30 in two separate attacks, including a suicide bombing on a bus in the capital, officials said.

Nato’s top commander has renewed an appeal for allies to urgently provide up to 2,500 troops for the battle with the Taliban in southern Afghanistan.