Brussels, Apr 16 (IANS/RIA Novosti): European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton has condemned Sunday's Taliban attacks on government buildings and western embassies in Afghanistan, her spokesperson said in a statement.

"The high representative condemns in the strongest terms the coordinated attacks launched today (Sunday) by Taliban elements against premises of State institutions and international organisations in Kabul and other locations in Afghanistan, it said.

Dozens of Taliban militants staged a series of gun, rocket and suicide attacks on the Afghan capital, Kabul, and other locations Sunday afternoon.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the attacks marked the start of the "spring offensive" against Afghan and foreign troops.

In Kabul, the US, British and German embassies, as well as NATO headquarters, the Afghan parliament building and a hotel were among the targets of the first major militant assault on the Afghan capital in more than six months.