The Afghan capital woke up to the sounds of explosions and gunfire as a siege by Taliban militants continued into its second day.

Correspondents say Afghan forces have been trying to clear armed insurgents from remaining areas in Kabul, more than 12 hours after the first blasts. Officials said at least 17 gunmen and one police officer have died. Attackers also carried out attacks in the provinces of Logar, Paktia and Nangarhar.

In Kabul, foreign embassies, Nato's HQ and the Afghan parliament were hit in the first major attack on the city in more than six months. The BBC's Bilal Sarwary in Kabul say the insurgents, who are using heavy machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, appear to be using a construction site as a base.

The Taliban said it was part of the start of their "spring offensive" and their response to recent claims by Nato officials that the insurgency was weak. (BBC)