The masterminds behind planned attacks against the Presidential Palace, Ministry of Defense (MoD) and Kabul International Airport were arrested by security forces in Kabul, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said on Tuesday.

This year saw a slew of Taliban-claimed high-profile attacks in Kabul that targeted Afghan and foreign security forces and government officials, but caused mostly civilian deaths. The Presidential Palace and Kabul Airport were both subject to attacks in June.

The Directorate said that the suspects were arrested by Afghan security forces while in possession of five suicide vests and explosives devices including heavy weapons.

"Light and heavy weapons have been confiscated from their hideouts," NDS Deputy Spokesman Farid Shamal said. "The alleged wanted to target several important buildings in Kabul including the Presidential Palace, Ministry of Defense and Kabul International Airport."

NDS deputy spokesman Farid Shamal said that in the past ten days the Directorate prevented nine other suicide attacks planned to be carried out in Kabul.

"They intended to carry out terrorist attacks during the Loya Jirga based on the direction of the Peshawar Council and Haqqani Network," Shamal said.

The NDS reported that the detainees are thought to be members of the Haqqani Network and Pakistani terrorist groups.