The Taliban brought their insurgency to the heart of Kabul this morning when militants stormed a guest house used by United Nation's employees which left six people dead.

At the same time a rocket attack on an exclusive hotel favoured by foreigners sent guests scurrying into secure underground bunkers and forced police to shut off large sections of the centre of the capital.

The assault on the UN approved Bekhtar Guesthouse in one of Kabul's most expensive neighbourhoods began in the early hours of the morning, and according to some people in the neighbourhood, involved at suicide bombers.

Such so-called "swarm attacks" have increasingly become a favoured tactic my militants operating in both Afghanistan and Pakistan.

A UN spokesman said six employees had been killed but was unable to confirm claims that some of the residents worked for UN Elect, the agency supporting the country's presidential election's which are due to go into their second round on November 7 despite threats by the Taliban to disrupt polling.

The UN also said nine people had been injured in the attack and this morning issued its "white city" order, confining all staff to their guest houses and banning all movement around the city until further notice.