Afghan security forces have detained five insurgents - three Pakistanis and two Afghans - with 10 tons of explosives that authorities say the militants intended to use in attacks in the capital, Kabul.
A National Directorate of Security spokesman, Shafiqullah Tahiri, said if the explosives had been used, the result would have been "large scale bloodshed."
Tahiri said the explosives were brought into Afghanistan from Pakistan. He said they were found in Kabul in 400 bags under piles of potatoes in the back of a truck.
Afghan officials have long accused Pakistan of harboring insurgent groups. Pakistan has denied supporting or giving sanctuary to insurgents on its territory.
Afghan cities and the diplomatic and government areas of Kabul were hit by a wave of attacks Sunday in what the Taliban said was the start of its spring offensive.
Afghan and U.S. officials have blamed the attacks on the Haqqani network, an insurgent group that is allied with the Taliban and al-Qaida, and has been described by American officials as the most dangerous militant force in the Afghan war.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
