KABUL: The attack on a hotel in Afghan capital Kabul’s center ended when at least three gunmen were killed by security forces and two foreigners injured.
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Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack on hotel in central Kabul popular with Chinese nationals, the group said on its channel on Telegram.
Taliban administration spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the foreigners were injured when trying to escape by jumping from the hotel balcony.
Kabul’s Emergency Hospital, run by an Italian non-profit near the attacked hotel in the Shahr-e-Naw area, reported receiving 21 casualties – 18 injured and three dead on arrival.
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Taliban sources said the attack was carried out at Longan Hotel where Chinese and other foreigners usually stay.
Videos posted on Twitter by a journalist in Kabul and verified by Reuters showed smoke billowing out of one of the floors amid sounds of gunshots, while a person was 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 powerful explosion followed by gunfire.
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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 protection of its embassy.
China’s state-run Xinhua news agency said the attack happened near a Chinese guesthouse and its embassy in Kabul was closely monitoring the situation.
