The largest co-ordinated attack to take place in 11 years struck at Kabul Sunday as the Taliban began its "Spring Offensive."

The Russian and German Emabassies, the Presidential Palace, NATO Bases, Parliament buildings and government buildings were among the locations attacked by dozens of fighters who launched offensives with suicide attacks, gunfire and rocket launches at the heart of Afghanistan.

Attacks took place in at least seven different locations. In one attack, where the Parliament building, Commerce ministry and the Russian enemy came under attack, the insurgents got access to a five-story building from where they launched their atttacks.

Russians from the Russian Embassy returned fire at the insurgents in the building. Marking the first time that the Russians have been involved in a firefight since their combat in the country came to a close in 1989. Leaders in the Parliament took up weapons alongside Parliamentary Guards to repell the attack on that building. Many of the leaders were ex-mujahideen commanders in the war with Russia.

Pamir Patang, Chief of Staff at the Commerce Ministry was quick to point the finger, saying that the organized attack throughout the country could only have been sponsered by a professional Intelligence Agency. Afghan analysts are stating that Pakistan’s Military Spy Agency, which has been implicated in other Haqqani led attacks, are more than likely involved again this time.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, however, expressed deep concern over the attacks in Afghanistan, saying, “Pakistan strongly condemns terrorism in all forms and has consistently encouraged dialogue to resolve issues in Afghanistan.”

Two suicide bombers blew themselves up at the Jalalabad airport as well. Several people were wounded in that incident. Meanwhile, in Gardez, a police training center also came under attack.

Across the border in Northern Pakistan, hundreds of Taliban attacked the jail facility in the city of Bannu. Of the 944 prisoners housed there, 384 prisoners escaped during the attack that wounded four prison officials. During the two-hour attack 21 high-profile prisoners were among those who made good their getaway. According to Pakistani officials, the attack was launched to afford the getaway of a senior Taliban leader. Two of the inmates that escaped were due to be executed.

Authorities there say that they have no idea how the insurgents could have made their way into the city, and to block routes to the jail. Ehsanullah Ehsan, a spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban said it was his organisation that carried out the attacks.

The Taliban in Afghanistan said that the attacks carried out there were in retaliation for the killing of 17 civilians that took place in Kandahar Province last month.

The American Embassy went into lock-down as soon as the violence broke out.