Afghanistan foils 'bomb plot'

Afghan security forces arrest five men and seize almost 10,000 kg of explosives.

The men were detained Saturday, foiling what officials said was an elaborate plot targetting civilians in the capital, Kabul.

Some 400 bags of explosives were allegedly hidden in this truck, buried underneath potato sacks.

A government spokesman said had the bombers been successful, the attack would have been devastating.

(SOUNDBITE) (Dari) SPOKESMAN FOR AFGHAN NATIONAL DIRECTORATE OF SECURITY (NDS), SHAFIQULLAH TAHIRI, SAYING:

"If 10,000 kilograms of explosives in a city with 7 million people had been detonated, what could have happened?"

In video released by the Afghan government, the men give their names and hometowns.

Three said they were from Pakistan - a fact that could further inflame relations between Kabul and Islamabad.

Officials here allege Pakistan has long supported insurgents who live in tribal areas near the Afghan border.

Andrew Raven, Reuters