Kabul on alert after attacks

One attack took place near the presidential palace where Karzai was swearing in cabinet ministers [AFP]

Afghanistan's capital has been put on high alert following one of the most co-ordinated offensives on Kabul since the Taliban were removed from power by a US-led invasion in 2001.

Security was tight in Kabul on Tuesday, a day after Taliban fighters successfully penetrated the highly-fortified heart of the city, targeting key government buildings.

Mohammad Khalil Dastyar, the deputy police chief, said troops were searching vehicles entering the capital and had increased the number of checkpoints in the city, as well as foot and vehicle patrols.

Farouq Bashar, from Kabul university, told Al Jazeera that "normal business" had resumed on the streets of Kabul.