The ransackers were angry at alleged Pakistani border incursions

The attack occurred during a protest against alleged Pakistani incursions into Afghanistan, and inflamed tensions between the two countries.

"These people have confessed that they planned and carried out the attack. They came with a clear intention to attack the embassy," minister Ali Ahmed Jalali told reporters.

"The people who attacked the embassy came with the intention of violence.

"They did not have permission from the Ministry of Interior or security forces for the demonstration."

Afghan President Hamid Karzai apologised to Islamabad for the attack after Pakistan lodged a formal complaint.

Compensation

Afghan hostility towards Pakistan had mounted after Pakistan's leader General Pervez Musharraf allegedly spoke of a power vacuum in Afghanistan and apparently claimed the government did not represent all ethnic groups.

Analysis: Afghan-Pakistani tension

Afghan officials also accused Pakistan of sending troops into Afghan territory during operations on the border - a charge rejected by Pakistan.

Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri, said General Musharraf's comments had been taken out of context.

"In their telephone conversation, [General Musharraf] cleared all misunderstandings. He said [to Mr Karzai], 'I'll send you the text of my speech; I said nothing like this.'"

Mr Karzai told General Musharraf that those responsible for the attack were enemies of peace and promised to pay compensation for the damage.