Precision planning signals ominous shift in tactics

This attack is ominous because of the care with which the target was chosen and the tactical skills of the assailants.

These days the Taliban are showing they can strike more at less at will in big cities, for maximum publicity.

They deliberately chose Afghanistan's day of celebration marking independence from the British in 1919. With Ramadan ending in just over 10 days, and the 10th anniversary of the destruction of the World Trade Center approaching, the symbolism and significance will not be lost on the insurgents' commanders.

There are signs of a genuine Taliban strategy at work, though whether this is homegrown or godfathered by Pakistan or Arab advisers is an open question.

The result is that they are focusing on relatively soft targets for greatest impact. There are fewer all-out battles with international troops and Afghan national forces - though there is still a hidden war with the Americans in the mountainous east of the country.

The assault on the British Council compound was phased with military precision; first the car bomb to breach the wall, then the first wave of suicide attackers; another explosion; followed by the second assault by a suicide squad, clearly under orders to fight for as long as they could and not come out alive.

Security forces still find it hard to detect these heavily armed suicide teams before they get to their targets. Furthermore, they are stepping up these spectacular attacks as the Americans begin to withdraw.

As for a negotiated deal with the government, this element of the Taliban is saying clearly with their signature suicide tactics - just forget it.