At least four gunmen have launched an attack on Kabul’s Intercontinental Hotel, Afghan officials say.
Special Forces were attempting to engage the gunmen, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish said.
An official at the Afghan spy agency said that the gunmen were “shooting at guests”.
The attack began at about 21:00 local time (16:30 GMT), Mr Danish said. There were no immediate details of casualties.
The attackers appeared to include suicide bombers, Mr Danish said.
The US State Department on Thursday had warned of a possible impending attack in the Afghan capital.
“Security Alert for #Kabul, #Afghanistan: reports that extremist groups may be planning an attack against hotels in Kabul, such as the Hotel Baron near Hamid Karzai Int’l Airport,” the agency tweeted.
The hotel was attacked by the Taliban in 2011. Twenty-one people were killed including nine attackers.
