Taliban gunmen and suicide bombers have attacked a number of Afghan government buildings south of Kabul.
Three Afghan police and two civilians have been confirmed killed in the attacks. At least 26 people have been wounded.
The attacks came after US commanders said the war in Afghanistan had not reached a crisis point even though the Taliban had gained momentum.
They are the latest in a series of assaults in the lead up to the presidential election on 20 August.
A Taliban spokesman said six fighters wearing vests packed with explosives had attacked key buildings in Logar province, about 70km from Kabul.
Targets included the governor's office, police and election offices.
A US and NATO spokeswoman confirmed a 'vehicle-borne' bomb attack on the governor's office and another attack on police.
A private Afghan TV station said Afghan security forces had been locked in gun battles with insurgents for several hours.
It said Taliban fighters fired six rockets at government buildings.
The attack resembled similar assaults on the eastern cities of Khost and Gardez last month, when gunmen and suicide bombers attacked government buildings.
Attacks across Afghanistan have escalated since US Marines and British soldiers launched offensives in the southern province of Helmand.
The Taliban have vowed to disrupt the election and have called on Afghans to boycott the vote.
