Afghan police have killed three men who were attempting to rob a bank near the presidential compound in the capital Kabul.

The Taliban, which is attempting to disrupt tomorrow's presidential election, say they were responsible for the attempted robbery. On Tuesday, a series of suicide bombings and rocket attacks killed more than 20 people across Afghanistan.

The government has been strongly criticised for attempting to ban the media from reporting attacks on election day, but the authorities say the ban is justified because reports of attacks will create fear and people will not vote.  The statement issued in English "requested" that media not cover violence by the Taliban. However, the statement in the Dari language said that such coverage would be "strongly prohibited".

The Afghan government has threatened to expel foreign journalists and close local media outlets if they violate the ban. An Afghan journalists' association says the ban "does not sit well" with democratic principles.

Kabul (Flickr/Mickyx09)