The Taliban set off the attack with two large explosions before dawn, then stormed the British Council building and fought with Afghan security forces and NATO troops. At least eight explosions in total were heard by early afternoon.

Scores of Afghan and NATO troops surrounded a compound strewn with wooden and metal debris while two helicopters hovered on watch above. A ministry of interior spokesman said at least 12 people were wounded during the assault.

"Eight members of the Afghan national police and one foreign soldier were killed," Mohammad Zahir, head of criminal investigations for the Kabul police, told Reuters. He said he was not able to confirm the nationality of the foreign soldier.

A British embassy spokesman in Kabul confirmed the attack. "We are coordinating with the Afghan security forces," he said.

Reuters