Suspected al Qaida and Taliban fighters planned to kill British and other peacekeepers by setting off car bombs in Afghanistan’s capital, authorities have said.

British-led peacekeepers in the Afghan capital Kabul have received credible reports that they could be targeted by car bombs or kidnapped by Taliban and al-Qaida fugitives in a bid to force the release of prisoners.

Two pilots have been injured after a Sea King helicopter crashed at an RAF base.