Further attacks on German forces in Afghanistan could threaten Berlin's backing for its troop deployment in the country, a western diplomat in Kabul warned yesterday, following the worst Taliban strike on German troops in the country in four years.

Three German troops were killed and two more injured in a suicide attack on Saturday in the northern city of Kunduz, one of the quietest parts of Afghanistan and home to most of the 3,200 German troops deployed in the country. Six civilians were also killed.