More than five people were reportedly killed and 34 others injured in a massive blast in the Afghan capital on Monday near a guest house popular with Chinese business visitors.
“It was a very loud explosion and then there was a lot of gunfire,” a witness told AFP.
Security officials were not immediately available to comment on the blast, which took place in Shahr-e-naw, one of Kabul’s main commercial areas.
Taliban sources said the attack was carried out at Longan Hotel where Chinese and other foreigners usually stay.
In the same vein, a Taliban source told AFP that an unknown number of attackers had entered the hotel.
“An operation has been launched against the attackers. Firing continues,” he said.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid indicated in a tweet that two foreigners were injured while trying to escape by jumping from the hotel balcony.
Earlier, Kabul's Emergency Hospital reported 21 casualties, including 18 wounded and three dead on arrival.
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