Kabul attack: 3 gunmen killed, hotel housing foreigners on fire | 5 points

The compound was identified as ‘Kabul Hotel’ by Kabul security department spokesman Khalid Zadran, while locals told media it mostly hosted Chinese nationals.

Several armed men opened fire inside a hotel reportedly hosting foreign nationals in the popular Shar-e-Naw area of Afghanistan's Kabul on Monday, a security spokesman confirmed to TOLOnews. Three of the assailants have been killed by security forces, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told the media.

Smoke rises from a hotel building after an explosions and gunfire in Kabul, Afghanistan. (AP)

The compound was identified as ‘Kabul Hotel’ by Kabul security department spokesman Khalid Zadran, who termed the attackers as “devil” elements.

Zadran further told TOLOnews that security forces were clearing the area and more details will be shared later.

Here are the top 5 developments:

1. The incident was reported by locals who heard a loud blast, followed by small blasts and gunshots near a China guest house in the Afghan capital. “It was a very loud explosion and then there was a lot of gunfire,” a witness was quoted as saying by AFP. The incident is said to have happened around 2:30pm local time.
2. Zadran told TOLOnews that ordinary people were living in the building, while locals said that it mostly hosted Chinese nationals and other foreigners. No civilian was killed in the attack, although two of them were injured while trying escape by jumping from the hotel balcony, a Taliban spokesman said.
3. A video released on social media by a journalist showed part of the hotel on fire while people on the streets in the area were seen in a frenzy.
4. Incidentally, the attack came a day after China's ambassador met the Afghan deputy foreign minister to discuss security-related matters and sought more attention on the security of the Chinese embassy in Afghanistan.
5. No one has claimed the responsibility for the attack as of now and security agencies are still investigating the matter. The regional affiliate of the Islamic State group — known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province and a rival of Afghanistan's ruling Taliban — is under the scanner for the attack.