Several killed in hotel attack in Kabul, counter-attack continues: official

At least one attacker and several civilians were killed as a counter-attack was underway in Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel Saturday night following a terror attack there, a source said. 

Afghan security forces arrive at the site of an attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan January 20, 2018. [Photo: VCG/Omar Sobhani]

The initial information found that four terrorists were involved in the attack. One terrorist was killed and the Special Operations Forces were trying to clear the building, Najib Danish, spokesman of Interior Ministry told local media.

Military helicopters were hovering over the hotel overlooking the city at the time of writing this report in the early hours of Sunday.

Unofficial sources said a meeting was held by Afghan Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology in the building earlier Saturday and several provincial officials who attended the meeting were present at the building when the hotel came under attack at around 09:00 p.m. local time Saturday.

No one knows what was exactly ongoing in the area as security forces did not allow media and people to reach the area.

An Afghan security force keeps watch near the site of an attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan January 20, 2018. [Photo: VCG/Mohammad Ismail]

Unofficial sources said that more than 15 people were killed and that several civilians were taken hostage by the assailants.

"There is fear of hostage taking incident, as several people were inside the hotel when the terrorists attacked the multi-story building. Some parts of the building caught fire following the gunfire and grenade explosions," an eyewitness told Xinhua earlier.

The attackers were holding heavy weapons and suicide jackets, and at least two big explosions were heard after the gunfiring, he said.

Further details about the incident are still forthcoming amid the absence of any official statement.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. 

Saturday's attack is the second assault against the hotel. In 2011, Taliban militants attacked the same hotel, inflicting heavy casualties and damage.