Hotel Attack in Kabul Afghanistan Ends, Security Forces Kill Three Armed People

Longan Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan. (Twitter/@kabulnewstv)

JAKARTA - Security forces have killed three gunmen who carried out an attack on a hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, according to the Taliban-run government.

Meanwhile, two foreigners were injured while trying to escape by jumping from a hotel balcony, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on Twitter.

The Kabul Emergency Hospital, run by an Italian non-profit organization near the hotel that was attacked in the Shahr-e-Naw area, reported receiving 21 victims, 18 injured and three dead on arrival.

Taliban sources say the attack took place at the Longan Hotel, where Chinese and other foreigners usually stay.

The video posted on Twitter by a journalist in Kabul and verified by Reuters shows smoke billowing from one of the floors amid the sound of gunfire. Meanwhile, a person is seen trying to escape the attack by jumping out of a hotel window.

Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said the attack took place around 2:30 p.m. local time, with residents in the area saying they heard a strong explosion followed by gunfire.

The attack came a day after China's ambassador met Afghanistan's deputy foreign minister to discuss security-related issues and seek greater attention to the protection of his embassy.

Meanwhile, China's state-run Xinhua news agency said the attack took place near a Chinese guest house and its embassy in Kabul was monitoring the situation closely. The embassy did not respond to requests for comment from Reuters.

It is known that several bombings have occurred in Afghanistan in recent months, including an attack on the Pakistan Embassy earlier this month and a suicide explosion near the Russian Embassy in September. Both attacks were claimed by ISIS.

Meanwhile, the Taliban, who seized power after US-led foreign troops withdrew in August 2021, say they are focused on securing the country.