5 killed in Kabul hotel attack, 100 rescued: official

KABUL, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- At least five people have been killed and six others injured in an attack against a hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, sources said Sunday, adding that around 100 people were rescued by the Afghan Special Forces.

The incident occurred late Saturday night after four terrorists armed with suicide jackets and weapons stormed the Intercontinental Hotel.

Sporadic gun firing could still be heard early on Sunday. A thick black smoke was seen rise above the hotel as several rooms of the six-story building caught fire following the attack.

"A counter-attack is ongoing and security forces have cleared most part of the building by early Sunday," Najib Danish, spokesman of Interior Ministry, told local media.

It is not known whether any people remained in terrorist's clutch.

No one knows what is exactly ongoing in the area as security forces did not allow media and people to reach the spot. Even ambulances were lined up near the hotel and failed to reach the site.

The incident caused a big traffic congestion in the western neighborhood of the city.

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 not the first against the hotel. In 2011, Taliban militants attacked the same hotel, inflicting high casualties and damage. Enditem