by Zabihullah Tamanna

KABUL, Afghanistan 

Gunmen and suicide bombers attacked a popular guesthouse in Afghan capital Kabul on Wednesday night, sparking a gun fight with security forces.

The Park Palace Hotel is a favored venue for both locals and foreigners.

A police officer who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the police and military engaged at least four attackers.

“Obviously, there are foreign guests in the guesthouse,” the officer told Anadolu Agency. “The attackers are using hostages as shields.”

Police said one attacker had been killed but did not say whether this was through police gunfire or not. A search was ongoing for the remaining assailtants.

Security forces earlier stormed the property and sporadic gunfire could be heard. The police’s Crisis Response Unit rescued around 26 people, including four women.

One rescued guest told an Anadolu Agency correspondent at the scene that there had been a party of around 100 in the guesthouse when it came under attack. One report said the attackers opened fire on the crowd as they entered.

National Security Council adviser Zubair Massoud said the militants had moved into a neighboring building.

Roads around the city center guesthouse, located near the Dutch and EU diplomatic missions, were cordoned off by police and special forces.

The guesthouse is popular with Indian staff at Afghan government ministries. The Indian ambassador Amar Sinha used Twitter to say those Indians at the scene were safe.

“Kabul guest house attacked and all Indians inside safe. Embassy in constant touch with security forces at site. Evacuation on,” he tweeted.

There was no initial claim of responsibility for the assault although the Taliban, who launched their spring offensive last month, have previously targeted guesthouses in the capital.

In 2010, suicide bombers attacked same guesthouse, killing 16 people including an Italian and several Indians, and wounding 32.

Earlier on Wednesday, 12 people were killed in an attack on a government compound in the Lashkar Gah, the capital of the southern province of Helmand.