At least seven people have been killed in a Taliban attack near the Spanish embassy in the capital, Kabul, the government said.

Sediq Sediqqi, spokesperson for the Afghan interior ministry, said n Saturday that four Afghan police officers and two others, including a foreigner, were killed in the attack.

The Spanish interior ministry later announced that a Spanish policeman had been killed and a second Spanish officer had later died from injuries sustained in the battle, bringing the total death toll up to seven. Seven civilians and two policemen were wounded, Mr Sediqqi said. Twelve foreign citizens were rescued by Afghan forces during the operation, he added. Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack in an email sent to media outlets.

The attack took place in the Kabul district of Shir Pur, which is home to many foreign embassies, guesthouses and the homes of high-ranking government officials. It took forces more than 10 hours to bring the area back under control. The Kabul attack came two days after another massive attack on the Kandahar airport.