Blast, gunshots heard near Chinese hotel in Afghan capital Kabul

Blasts and gunfire rocked Afghan capital Kabul on Monday afternoon. Afghan media reports that a hotel frequented by Chinese nationals has been attacked.

This is the second major incident in two days being reported from Afghanistan. On Sunday, Afghan border security forces had clashed with eastern neighbour Pakistan’s security on the Spin Boldak-Chaman area leading to numerous deaths on both sides of the border.

Afghan news agency TOLO News quoting witnesses, said: “Residents of the Shahr-e Naw area of Kabul confirmed they heard a blast and sporadic gunfire. Security officials have yet to comment.”

The news agency reported that Afghan security forces reached the hotel and are carrying out operations.

Social media videos showed smoke and fire coming out of the hotel with shouts of people from surrounding areas.

Chinese assets and nationals have been attacked several times by nationalistic groups in neighbouring Pakistan.

Beijing has taken up the issue with Pakistani authorities at the highest level about providing additional security and has even mounted pressure on Islamabad that it sends it own security personnel to guard Chinese assets.