KABUL: A man wearing an Afghan army uniform on Thursday shot dead two members of Nato's US-led International Security Assistance Force, military officials said.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack which they said targeted French troops in Kapisa province, which is east of the capital Kabul.

“An individual wearing an Afghan National Army uniform turned his weapon against two International Security Assistance Forces service members in eastern Afghanistan, today, killing both service members,” a coalition statement said.

ISAF said it was investigating but did not identify the nationality of the victims in line with policy.

“This morning one Afghan soldier named Ebrahim killed three French soldiers. He was also martyred,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

The Taliban frequently exaggerate their claims.

He said the incident took place in Tagab district in Kapisa province, which is part of the volatile east of the country.

There have been several incidents over the past year in which Afghan government security forces – or those purporting to be – have turned their weapons on foreign troops.

On Christmas eve an Afghan soldier was killed after opening fire on US troops in southwestern Farah province.