Afghanistan: Kabul hotel popular with Chinese nationals attacked, security forces fatally shoot three assailants

A spokesman for the Taliban government in Afghanistan said that an attack took place at a hotel in the capital Kabul where Chinese nationals and foreigners are known to stay. Security forces fatally shot three of the assailants.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Monday that an attack occurred at the Kabul Longan Hotel, and Afghan security forces were able to fatally shoot three of the attackers. There were no fatalities among the foreigners, but two were injured trying to escape by jumping off the hotel balcony. Witnesses also reported multiple blasts and several gunshots.

The Italian-run non-profit Emergency Hospital in Kabul near the hotel reported receiving 21 casualties. Three of those received were dead on arrival, according to the hospital.

Later on the same day, the Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for the attack. In posts on its Telegram channel, the group said two of its personnel “attacked a big hotel” that is popular among Chinese diplomats and businessmen, detonating two explosive devices hidden in two bags. One of the bombs targeted a party for Chinese guests, and the other targeted the reception hall, according to the group.

Kabul police spokesman Khalid Zadran said the attack took place around Monday afternoon when armed men entered the hotel where “common people were staying.” Zadran added that forces were trying to secure the area at the time.

The hotel attack follows the meeting between China’s ambassador to Afghanistan and the Afghan deputy foreign minister to discuss security-related matters, asking for more attention on the security of the Chinese embassy in Afghanistan.

Tensions have also flared at the border that Afghanistan and Pakistan share, with the recent clashes taking place in the area. The Pakistani military said Sunday that six civilians were killed in an “unprovoked” firing from Afghan forces near the Chaman border separating the two countries.

The Pakistani military said at least 17 people were wounded, blaming the casualties on the “unprovoked and indiscriminate fire” of heavy weapons by Afghan forces on civilians.

A spokesman for the governor of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province Attaullah Zaid the clashes between the Pakistani and Taliban forces are connected to the construction of new checkpoints on the Afghan side of the border.