Three attackers killed in shooting at Kabul hotel popular with Chinese nationals

Kabul, December 12

At least three attackers were killed by security forces on Monday after they opened fire at a Kabul hotel popular with Chinese nationals in the latest violence in Afghanistan as it tries to stabilise after the withdrawal of US-led foreign forces.

While the firing was continuing in the hotel, a fire broke out on one of the floors.

#Update on Kabul Attack : Chinese Hotel is burning after attack of 6 heavily armed Taliban fighters in Kabul. Situation is uncontrollable. Intense firing can be heard since last 1 hour. pic.twitter.com/sGnfpIjcyz

— Baba Banaras™ (@RealBababanaras) December 12, 2022

A video posted on Twitter by a journalist in Kabul, verified by Reuters, showed smoke billowing out of a multi-storey building, with one lower floor on fire.

The attack took place around 2.30 pm local time when armed men targeted a hotel where “common people were staying”, Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said earlier.

Residents of the area said the attack was carried out at a building where Chinese and other foreigners usually stay. The shooting continued after they heard a powerful explosion, they said.

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 its embassy.

China’s state-run Xinhua news agency reported that the attack took place near a Chinese guesthouse and that its embassy in Kabul was closely monitoring the situation.

The embassy did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Several bombing and shooting attacks have taken place in Afghanistan in recent months, some of which have been claimed by Islamic State militants.

The Islamist Taliban, who seized power after US-led foreign forces withdrew in August 2021, have said they are focused on securing the country. Reuters