Afghan security officials have released two rights activists detained by the country's powerful intelligence agency for exposing an alleged paedophile ring operating in the country's schools.

Musa Mahmudi -- a youth social worker -- told Britain's Guardian newspaper earlier this month that teachers and local officials were involved in the ring based in Logar province, sparking outrage across the country.

Mahmudi and activist Ehsanullah Hamidi were later detained by the National Directorate of Security (NDS) on their way to meet with the European Union ambassador in Kabul last week.

"They are in Kabul now and reunited with members of their families. There is no restriction to their movement," Naeem Nazari, deputy head of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), told AFP.

At least 546 boys from six schools were allegedly abused, the Guardian reported.

Some victims went on to be murdered, the newspaper said, adding that rights campaigners had uncovered more than 100 videos of the abuse.

Authorities have not confirmed the allegations.

The two were released Wednesday just a day after the NDS released a video of Mahmudi appearing to retract his account, which sparked harsh condemnation of the spy agency's conduct by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the US envoy in Kabul -- who blasted the agency over its "Soviet-style tactics". &nbsp;

Amnesty International had also called for the pair's immediate release and warned that Mahmudi had been receiving death threats accusing him of "dishonouring the people of Logar".

Hamidi's role in revealing the scandal was not immediately clear, and he was not referenced in the Guardian story.

Sexual abuse is widespread in Afghanistan despite efforts to clamp down on the crime, and boys are often reluctant to come forward in a culture that still shames victims rather than going after perpetrators.

Parts of Afghanistan still tolerate the practice of bacha bazi, or "boy play", where older men force boys to dress up as women and then force them to have sex. 
&nbsp;

Afghan security officials have released two rights activists detained by the country's powerful intelligence agency for exposing an alleged paedophile ring operating in the country's schools.

Afghan security officials have released two rights activists detained by the country's powerful intelligence agency for exposing an alleged paedophile ring operating in the country's schools. Musa Mahmudi -- a youth social worker -- told Britain's Guardian newspaper earlier this month that teachers and local officials were involved in the ring based in Logar province, sparking outrage across the country. Mahmudi and activist Ehsanullah Hamidi were later detained by the National Directorate of Security (NDS) on their way to meet with the European Union ambassador in Kabul last week. "They are in Kabul now and reunited with members of their families. There is no restriction to their movement," Naeem Nazari, deputy head of Afghanistan's Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC), told AFP. At least 546 boys from six schools were allegedly abused, the Guardian reported. Some victims went on to be murdered, the newspaper said, adding that rights campaigners had uncovered more than 100 videos of the abuse. Authorities have not confirmed the allegations. The two were released Wednesday just a day after the NDS released a video of Mahmudi appearing to retract his account, which sparked harsh condemnation of the spy agency's conduct by Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and the US envoy in Kabul -- who blasted the agency over its "Soviet-style tactics". Amnesty International had also called for the pair's immediate release and warned that Mahmudi had been receiving death threats accusing him of "dishonouring the people of Logar". Hamidi's role in revealing the scandal was not immediately clear, and he was not referenced in the Guardian story. Sexual abuse is widespread in Afghanistan despite efforts to clamp down on the crime, and boys are often reluctant to come forward in a culture that still shames victims rather than going after perpetrators. Parts of Afghanistan still tolerate the practice of bacha bazi, or "boy play", where older men force boys to dress up as women and then force them to have sex.

Afghan officials release men who exposed alleged paedophile ring

The United Nations said on Wednesday it was gravely concerned about&nbsp;reports indicating&nbsp;11&nbsp;civilians had been&nbsp;killed&nbsp;in an&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-18-terrorists-killed-by-government-forces-in-logar-province-225281">Afghan&nbsp;security force operation</a> in an eastern province near the border with Pakistan.

Civilian&nbsp;casualties&nbsp;in&nbsp;Afghanistan have been increasing, despite attempts by the United States and the Taliban to negotiate an agreement to end the 18-year war.

The&nbsp;government's main security agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), said the operation in Paktia province had targeted a<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/56-taliban-terrorists-including-7-group-commanders-killed-in-afghanistan-239623"> Taliban hideout </a>and among the&nbsp;11&nbsp;dead militants were two commanders.

The&nbsp;UN Assistance Mission in&nbsp;Afghanistan said it was gravely concerned at the killings during a search operation and a human rights team was investigating.

"Accountability essential. Harm to&nbsp;civilians must stop," the agency said in a post on Twitter.

A politician in the area said the&nbsp;government&nbsp;forces attacked a student gathering over the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday.

"A university student had invited his classmates for dinner," Allah Mir Khan Bahramzoi, a provincial council member in Paktia, told Reuters.

"Late in the evening, security forces surrounded the house, brought out the victims from the guesthouse and shot them one by one," he said by telephone from the province.

The NDS said weapons and ammunition were seized in the raid.

"This operation was conducted based on operative information on a Taliban hideout center and it left no&nbsp;civilian&nbsp;casualties," the agency said in a statement.

The United Nations&nbsp;says&nbsp;nearly 4,000&nbsp;civilians were&nbsp;killed&nbsp;or wounded in the first half of the year. 
&nbsp;The toll included a big increase in the number of&nbsp;casualties&nbsp;inflicted by&nbsp;government and US-led foreign forces.

Ground raids and clashes caused the most&nbsp;civilian&nbsp;casualties, followed by bomb attacks and airstrikes, UNAMA said in a&nbsp;report&nbsp;last month.

There has been no let-up in violence, even though the Taliban and the United States have both&nbsp;reported significant progress in talks on a pact for US troops to withdraw in exchange for a Taliban promise that&nbsp;Afghanistan will not be used as a base for militant attacks.

Their latest round of talks ended on Monday without a final agreement. No date has been announced for the next round

The United Nations said on Wednesday it was gravely concerned about reports indicating 11 civilians had been killed in an Afghan security force operation in an eastern province near the border with Pakistan.

The United Nations said on Wednesday it was gravely concerned about reports indicating 11 civilians had been killed in an Afghan security force operation in an eastern province near the border with Pakistan. Civilian casualties in Afghanistan have been increasing, despite attempts by the United States and the Taliban to negotiate an agreement to end the 18-year war. The government's main security agency, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), said the operation in Paktia province had targeted a Taliban hideout and among the 11 dead militants were two commanders. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said it was gravely concerned at the killings during a search operation and a human rights team was investigating. "Accountability essential. Harm to civilians must stop," the agency said in a post on Twitter. A politician in the area said the government forces attacked a student gathering over the Eid al-Adha Muslim holiday. "A university student had invited his classmates for dinner," Allah Mir Khan Bahramzoi, a provincial council member in Paktia, told Reuters. "Late in the evening, security forces surrounded the house, brought out the victims from the guesthouse and shot them one by one," he said by telephone from the province. The NDS said weapons and ammunition were seized in the raid. "This operation was conducted based on operative information on a Taliban hideout center and it left no civilian casualties," the agency said in a statement. The United Nations says nearly 4,000 civilians were killed or wounded in the first half of the year. The toll included a big increase in the number of casualties inflicted by government and US-led foreign forces. Ground raids and clashes caused the most civilian casualties, followed by bomb attacks and airstrikes, UNAMA said in a report last month. There has been no let-up in violence, even though the Taliban and the United States have both reported significant progress in talks on a pact for US troops to withdraw in exchange for a Taliban promise that Afghanistan will not be used as a base for militant attacks. Their latest round of talks ended on Monday without a final agreement. No date has been announced for the next round

Halt Afghan civilian casualties, UN says after report of 11 killed by government

Three suspects, including a lecturer from Kabul University, was arrested by Afghan forces on Sunday over charges of having suspected links with the Islamic State (ISIS) and plotting terror attacks in the Afghan capital.

In a statement, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), Afghanistan's intelligence agency, said that Mubashir Muslimyar, the professor, allegedly enticed students to join the ISIS, TOLOnews reported.

The three accused persons are being held on charges of plotting terror attacks in Kabul in recent times.

"Attack on a wrestling club, Maiwand Gym, in the west of Kabul on September 5, 2018, in which at least 21 people were killed, attack on a bus carrying the employees of the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission in Kabul on June 4, which left five people dead, and an attack on Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul this year, the NDS statement said.

The suspects have confessed that they were motivated by three lectures at Kabul University to join the dreaded terror group and carry out attacks, the investigative agency said.

Three suspects, including a lecturer from Kabul University, was arrested by Afghan forces on Sunday over charges of having suspected links with the Islamic State (ISIS) and plotting terror attacks in the Afghan capital.

Three suspects, including a lecturer from Kabul University, was arrested by Afghan forces on Sunday over charges of having suspected links with the Islamic State (ISIS) and plotting terror attacks in the Afghan capital. In a statement, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), Afghanistan's intelligence agency, said that Mubashir Muslimyar, the professor, allegedly enticed students to join the ISIS, TOLOnews reported. The three accused persons are being held on charges of plotting terror attacks in Kabul in recent times. "Attack on a wrestling club, Maiwand Gym, in the west of Kabul on September 5, 2018, in which at least 21 people were killed, attack on a bus carrying the employees of the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission in Kabul on June 4, which left five people dead, and an attack on Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul this year, the NDS statement said. The suspects have confessed that they were motivated by three lectures at Kabul University to join the dreaded terror group and carry out attacks, the investigative agency said.

Afghanistan: University professor held for suspected links with Islamic State, plotting terror attacks

Afghan forces on Monday killed at least 12 commanders belonging to the Haqqani Network <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/300-let-terrorists-active-in-afghanistan-pentagon-221224">terror group</a> in an operation in Khost province in eastern Afghanistan, the country`s intelligence agency said.&nbsp;

In a statement, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said that the operation took place in Sabari district in the province, TOLO news reported.&nbsp;

The Haqqani commanders were involved in terror activities in Khost province. While one member was injured, three others were arrested during the operation, the NDS said.&nbsp;

Security forces recovered a huge number of weapons and explosives, the agency added.

&nbsp;The Haqqani Network is widely believed to have links with the Taliban and is active in Khost, Paktia and Paktika, all located in the eastern part Afghanistan.&nbsp;

In the past several years, government forces, Taliban and other terror outfits have been involved in armed confrontations, even as peace efforts are underway to end the nearly-two decades-long civil war in Afghanistan.

&nbsp;The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) regularly conduct joint offensive operations to combat terrorism across war-torn Afghanistan.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Afghan forces on Monday killed at least 12 commanders belonging to the Haqqani Network terror group in an operation in Khost province in eastern Afghanistan, the country`s intelligence agency said.

Afghan forces on Monday killed at least 12 commanders belonging to the Haqqani Network terror group in an operation in Khost province in eastern Afghanistan, the country`s intelligence agency said. In a statement, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) said that the operation took place in Sabari district in the province, TOLO news reported. The Haqqani commanders were involved in terror activities in Khost province. While one member was injured, three others were arrested during the operation, the NDS said. Security forces recovered a huge number of weapons and explosives, the agency added. The Haqqani Network is widely believed to have links with the Taliban and is active in Khost, Paktia and Paktika, all located in the eastern part Afghanistan. In the past several years, government forces, Taliban and other terror outfits have been involved in armed confrontations, even as peace efforts are underway to end the nearly-two decades-long civil war in Afghanistan. The Afghan National Defence and Security Forces (ANDSF) regularly conduct joint offensive operations to combat terrorism across war-torn Afghanistan.

12 Haqqani Network commanders killed in Afghanistan

Afghan spy agency says it has arrested two operatives from the Islamic State group suspected to be behind a twin bombing at a sports club in Kabul last year that killed at least 26 people, including two journalists.

In a statement on Thursday, the Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS) said the two men who "had planned and facilitated" the deadly attack had been detained in Kabul, though it did not mention the date and time of their arrest.

In the twin bombing last September, a suicide bomber first blew himself up inside a wrestling hall in a heavily Shiite neighbourhood of west Kabul, followed by a car bomb that detonated as journalists and security forces gathered at the scene.

Two journalists -- a reporter and cameraman -- working for local Tolo News, were among the 26 dead, while at least four journalists were also among 70 people wounded in the attack.

The arrests come days after the Afghan spy agency said it had detained three suspected of being behind a truck bombing that killed 150 people in Kabul's diplomatic area in May 2017.

In a statement, the NDS said the trio -- who were members of the Haqqani network, an ally of the Taliban -- were also accused of planning a separate suicide bombing last November that killed five employees of a multinational security company G4S in Kabul.

Separately, police in northern Afghanistan announced on Thursday they had detained one suspect in connection with the murder of two Afghan journalists who were killed in Takhar province last week.

The pair, both men in their 20s, were gunned down inside the studios of Radio Hamsada, a private broadcaster based in Taloqan, the capital of Takhar province on February 5th.

Khalil Aseer, a spokesman for the provincial police described the suspect&nbsp; 
as an "illegal armed man" saying they were investigating the motive behind the killing.

Journalists and media workers have paid a heavy price covering the Afghan conflict with at least 15 of them killed in 2018, the deadliest year yet for the Afghan media, according to Reporters Without Border(RSF).

Three Afghan journalists have been killed so far this year.

Afghan spy agency says it has arrested two operatives from the Islamic State group suspected to be behind a twin bombing at a sports club in Kabul last year that killed at least 26 people, including two journalists.

Afghan spy agency says it has arrested two operatives from the Islamic State group suspected to be behind a twin bombing at a sports club in Kabul last year that killed at least 26 people, including two journalists. In a statement on Thursday, the Afghan National Directorate of Security (NDS) said the two men who "had planned and facilitated" the deadly attack had been detained in Kabul, though it did not mention the date and time of their arrest. In the twin bombing last September, a suicide bomber first blew himself up inside a wrestling hall in a heavily Shiite neighbourhood of west Kabul, followed by a car bomb that detonated as journalists and security forces gathered at the scene. Two journalists -- a reporter and cameraman -- working for local Tolo News, were among the 26 dead, while at least four journalists were also among 70 people wounded in the attack. The arrests come days after the Afghan spy agency said it had detained three suspected of being behind a truck bombing that killed 150 people in Kabul's diplomatic area in May 2017. In a statement, the NDS said the trio -- who were members of the Haqqani network, an ally of the Taliban -- were also accused of planning a separate suicide bombing last November that killed five employees of a multinational security company G4S in Kabul. Separately, police in northern Afghanistan announced on Thursday they had detained one suspect in connection with the murder of two Afghan journalists who were killed in Takhar province last week. The pair, both men in their 20s, were gunned down inside the studios of Radio Hamsada, a private broadcaster based in Taloqan, the capital of Takhar province on February 5th. Khalil Aseer, a spokesman for the provincial police described the suspect as an "illegal armed man" saying they were investigating the motive behind the killing. Journalists and media workers have paid a heavy price covering the Afghan conflict with at least 15 of them killed in 2018, the deadliest year yet for the Afghan media, according to Reporters Without Border(RSF). Three Afghan journalists have been killed so far this year.

Islamic State group suspects behind Kabul twin bombing arrested: Officials

Afghanistan's main spy agency has killed a Taliban commander who was the mastermind of this week's deadly attack on <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/around-65-killed-in-taliban-attack-on-afghan-intel-base-official-191962">Afghan forces at a military base</a> in the central province of Maidan Wardak, officials said on Wednesday.

The National Directorate of Security (NDS) said the commander, whose name it gave only as Noman, was killed in an air raid on Tuesday night.

"Noman, along with seven others, was targeted after being identified by the NDS forces in an operative task," the agency said in a statement.

"NDS will follow the terrorist group and kill them all."

Taliban officials were not immediately available to confirm the death of the commander. On Tuesday, the agency said 36 people were killed and 58 injured in Monday's attack by the Taliban but those figures were smaller than the tally of other government and security sources.

On Monday, a senior defence source had told Reuters 126 Afghan security forces were killed. On Tuesday, two senior security officials in the capital, Kabul, said at least 72 men being trained by the NDS were killed with 38 critically injured.

Afghanistan's main spy agency has killed a Taliban commander who was the mastermind of this week's deadly attack on Afghan forces at a military base in the central province of Maidan Wardak, officials said on Wednesday.

Afghanistan's main spy agency has killed a Taliban commander who was the mastermind of this week's deadly attack on Afghan forces at a military base in the central province of Maidan Wardak, officials said on Wednesday. The National Directorate of Security (NDS) said the commander, whose name it gave only as Noman, was killed in an air raid on Tuesday night. "Noman, along with seven others, was targeted after being identified by the NDS forces in an operative task," the agency said in a statement. "NDS will follow the terrorist group and kill them all." Taliban officials were not immediately available to confirm the death of the commander. On Tuesday, the agency said 36 people were killed and 58 injured in Monday's attack by the Taliban but those figures were smaller than the tally of other government and security sources. On Monday, a senior defence source had told Reuters 126 Afghan security forces were killed. On Tuesday, two senior security officials in the capital, Kabul, said at least 72 men being trained by the NDS were killed with 38 critically injured.

Afghanistan says Taliban mastermind of deadly attack on military base killed

At least four Taliban militants have been killed in a night raid conducted by the Special Operations Forces of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province.

A local commander of the Taliban group identified as Abdullah alias Mazlumyar was among those killed, reported Khaama Press, citing provincial government media office, as saying, in a statement.

According to the report, a large number of weapons, ammunition, and explosives belonging to the Taliban militants have also been destroyed during the operation.

No comments have been received on the report from the anti-government armed militant groups including Taliban militants in connection with the report.

The raids are in tandem with the counter-terrorism ground operations which are being conducted by the Afghan security forces against the IS, Taliban and other militant groups in Nangarhar province.

A local commander of the Taliban group identified as Abdullah alias Mazlumyar was among those killed

At least four Taliban militants have been killed in a night raid conducted by the Special Operations Forces of the Afghan Intelligence, National Directorate of Security (NDS), in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province. A local commander of the Taliban group identified as Abdullah alias Mazlumyar was among those killed, reported Khaama Press, citing provincial government media office, as saying, in a statement. According to the report, a large number of weapons, ammunition, and explosives belonging to the Taliban militants have also been destroyed during the operation. No comments have been received on the report from the anti-government armed militant groups including Taliban militants in connection with the report. The raids are in tandem with the counter-terrorism ground operations which are being conducted by the Afghan security forces against the IS, Taliban and other militant groups in Nangarhar province.

4 Taliban militants killed in Afghanistan

Gunmen killed at least five people and wounded eight others in an <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/attack-on-kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-continues-several-dead-30191" target="_blank">attack</a> on Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel, an official said Sunday, as the eleven hours-long siege continued. &nbsp;

"Five are dead," an official with the Afghan spy agency told AFP, adding 100 hostages have been released. &nbsp;

Afghan security forces were still trying to clear the landmark hilltop hotel with at least one attacker on the loose, a security source said.

Dramatic images broadcast on Afghanistan's Tolo News showed thick black smoke and flames billowing from the top floor of the hotel.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-under-attack-by-at-least-four-gunmen-30184" target="_blank">Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel under attack 'by at least four gunmen'</a>

At least one person could be seen climbing over a top-floor balcony using bedsheets to escape, before loosing his grip and plunging to the ground.

Four gunmen burst into the hotel on Saturday night, opening fire on guests and staff and taking dozens of people hostage, including foreigners.&nbsp;

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest assault in the war-torn Afghan capital that followed a series of security warnings in recent days to avoid hotels and other locations frequented by foreigners.

The National Directorate of Security added that at least eight were wounded

Gunmen killed at least five people and wounded eight others in an attack on Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel, an official said Sunday, as the eleven hours-long siege continued. "Five are dead," an official with the Afghan spy agency told AFP, adding 100 hostages have been released. Afghan security forces were still trying to clear the landmark hilltop hotel with at least one attacker on the loose, a security source said. Dramatic images broadcast on Afghanistan's Tolo News showed thick black smoke and flames billowing from the top floor of the hotel. Also read: Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel under attack 'by at least four gunmen' At least one person could be seen climbing over a top-floor balcony using bedsheets to escape, before loosing his grip and plunging to the ground. Four gunmen burst into the hotel on Saturday night, opening fire on guests and staff and taking dozens of people hostage, including foreigners. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest assault in the war-torn Afghan capital that followed a series of security warnings in recent days to avoid hotels and other locations frequented by foreigners.

At least 5 dead in Kabul hotel attack, 100 hostages rescued: Afghan spy agency

A suicide bomber detonated his explosives near the diplomatic area of the Afghan capital on Saturday, killing at least one person, officials said.

&quot;This morning a suicide bomber blew up his explosives in Shash Darak area of Kabul, killing one and wounding six others,&quot; interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP.

A security source who requested not to be named said the explosion happened near a compound belonging to the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the Afghan intelligence agency.

The NDS compound is located near to the headquarters of NATO and the US embassy.

In December, a suicide attacker on foot blew himself up near the same compound, killing at least six civilians.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack in Kabul, which in recent months has become one of the deadliest places in war-torn Afghanistan for civilians.

Since mid-January, militants have stormed a luxury hotel, bombed a crowded street and raided a military compound in Kabul, killing more than 130 people.

The NDS compound is located near to the headquarters of NATO and the US embassy

A suicide bomber detonated his explosives near the diplomatic area of the Afghan capital on Saturday, killing at least one person, officials said. "This morning a suicide bomber blew up his explosives in Shash Darak area of Kabul, killing one and wounding six others," interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP. A security source who requested not to be named said the explosion happened near a compound belonging to the National Directorate of Security (NDS), the Afghan intelligence agency. The NDS compound is located near to the headquarters of NATO and the US embassy. In December, a suicide attacker on foot blew himself up near the same compound, killing at least six civilians. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest attack in Kabul, which in recent months has become one of the deadliest places in war-torn Afghanistan for civilians. Since mid-January, militants have stormed a luxury hotel, bombed a crowded street and raided a military compound in Kabul, killing more than 130 people.

Suicide bomber in Kabul kills one, injures six

Four heavily-armed gunmen raided Kabul`s landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday, shooting at guests and staff and setting the building on fire, officials said, in an hours-long assault that is still ongoing.

Local television channel Tolo News is reporting that at least 15 people have been killed or wounded.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Special forces were lowered by helicopters onto the roof of the luxury hilltop hotel during the siege, interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told AFP, adding two attackers had been killed.&nbsp;

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest assault in the war-torn Afghan capital that followed a series of security warnings in recent days to avoid hotels and other locations frequented by foreigners.

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It is not clear how many people are still inside the hotel, which was previously attacked by Taliban militants in 2011, or whether any foreigners are among them.

&quot;Four attackers are inside the building,&quot; an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency told AFP at the beginning of the attack. They are &quot;shooting at guests&quot;, he said.

A guest hiding in a room told AFP he could hear gunfire inside the 1960s hotel where dozens of people attending an information technology conference on Sunday were staying.

&quot;I don`t know if the attackers are inside the hotel but I can hear gunfire from somewhere near the first floor,&quot; the man, who did not want to be named, said by telephone.

&quot;We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us.&quot;

His phone was switched off when AFP tried to contact him again.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/kabuls-intercontinental-hotel-under-attack-by-at-least-four-gunmen-30184" target="_blank">Kabul&#39;s Intercontinental Hotel under attack &#39;by at least four gunmen&#39;</a>

Rahimi said the attackers were armed with small weapons and rocket-propelled grenades when they stormed the hotel, which is a popular venue for weddings, conferences and political gatherings.

&quot;Seven wounded people have been taken to hospital,&quot; Rahimi said.

&quot;Some other guests have been rescued. We will be able to release casualty figures once the operation ends.&quot;&nbsp;

But several hours after the attack started Afghan security spokesmen switched off their mobile phones or refused to answer AFP`s calls for an update.

Afghan media is reporting multiple casualties in the attack, which comes days after a UN Security Council delegation visited Kabul for a close-up view of the conflict.

The fourth floor of the hotel, which boasts several restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, had been set on fire during the raid, the NDS official said.The last major attack on a high-end hotel in Kabul was in March 2014 when four teenage gunmen raided the Serena, killing nine people including an AFP journalist.&nbsp;

The Intercontinental was targeted in June 2011 when a suicide attack claimed by the Taliban killed 21 people, including 10 civilians.

Even before Saturday`s attack was over, authorities were questioning how the assailants got past the hotel`s security, which was taken over by a private company two weeks ago, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP.

&quot;They probably used a back door in the kitchen to enter,&quot; he said.

Abdullah Sabet, an official at the communications and information technology ministry, said IT officials from around the country were staying at the hotel ahead of a conference on Sunday.&nbsp;

&quot;There were 40 of them in the hotel. We don`t know if any of them have been killed or wounded,&quot; Sabet said.

Security at the Intercontinental, which is not part of the global InterContinental chain, is relatively lax compared with other luxury hotels in Kabul.

A conference on Afghanistan-China relations was held in one of its function rooms earlier Saturday, attended by the Chinese embassy`s political counsellor Zhang Zhixin.

An AFP reporter who attended the conference passed through two vehicle security checkpoints. At the entrance to the building, there was a physical inspection that could be easily evaded by scaling a low-level barrier and entering the lobby.&nbsp;

Security alerts sent in recent days to foreigners living in the Afghan capital warned that &quot;extremist groups may be planning an attack against hotels in Kabul&quot; as well as public gatherings and other locations &quot;where foreigners are known to congregate&quot;.

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said it was not known if any American citizens had been caught up in the attack.

Security in Kabul has been tightened since May 31 when a massive truck bomb ripped through the diplomatic quarter, killing some 150 people and wounding around 400 others -- mostly civilians. No group has yet claimed that attack.

The Islamic State group has claimed most of the recent attacks in the Afghan capital, but authorities suspect that the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network has been involved in at least some of them.&nbsp;

The deadliest of the recent attacks happened at a Shiite cultural centre on December 29 when a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing more than 40 people.

The attack began Saturday. 'Four attackers are inside the building,' an official at the National Directorate of Security spy agency said. They are 'shooting at guests'

Four heavily-armed gunmen raided Kabul`s landmark Intercontinental Hotel on Saturday, shooting at guests and staff and setting the building on fire, officials said, in an hours-long assault that is still ongoing. Local television channel Tolo News is reporting that at least 15 people have been killed or wounded. Special forces were lowered by helicopters onto the roof of the luxury hilltop hotel during the siege, interior ministry deputy spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told AFP, adding two attackers had been killed. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest assault in the war-torn Afghan capital that followed a series of security warnings in recent days to avoid hotels and other locations frequented by foreigners. We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us' × It is not clear how many people are still inside the hotel, which was previously attacked by Taliban militants in 2011, or whether any foreigners are among them. "Four attackers are inside the building," an official at the National Directorate of Security (NDS) spy agency told AFP at the beginning of the attack. They are "shooting at guests", he said. A guest hiding in a room told AFP he could hear gunfire inside the 1960s hotel where dozens of people attending an information technology conference on Sunday were staying. "I don`t know if the attackers are inside the hotel but I can hear gunfire from somewhere near the first floor," the man, who did not want to be named, said by telephone. "We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us." His phone was switched off when AFP tried to contact him again. Also read: Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel under attack 'by at least four gunmen' Rahimi said the attackers were armed with small weapons and rocket-propelled grenades when they stormed the hotel, which is a popular venue for weddings, conferences and political gatherings. "Seven wounded people have been taken to hospital," Rahimi said. "Some other guests have been rescued. We will be able to release casualty figures once the operation ends." But several hours after the attack started Afghan security spokesmen switched off their mobile phones or refused to answer AFP`s calls for an update. Afghan media is reporting multiple casualties in the attack, which comes days after a UN Security Council delegation visited Kabul for a close-up view of the conflict. The fourth floor of the hotel, which boasts several restaurants and an outdoor swimming pool, had been set on fire during the raid, the NDS official said.The last major attack on a high-end hotel in Kabul was in March 2014 when four teenage gunmen raided the Serena, killing nine people including an AFP journalist. The Intercontinental was targeted in June 2011 when a suicide attack claimed by the Taliban killed 21 people, including 10 civilians. Even before Saturday`s attack was over, authorities were questioning how the assailants got past the hotel`s security, which was taken over by a private company two weeks ago, interior ministry spokesman Najib Danish told AFP. "They probably used a back door in the kitchen to enter," he said. Abdullah Sabet, an official at the communications and information technology ministry, said IT officials from around the country were staying at the hotel ahead of a conference on Sunday. "There were 40 of them in the hotel. We don`t know if any of them have been killed or wounded," Sabet said. Security at the Intercontinental, which is not part of the global InterContinental chain, is relatively lax compared with other luxury hotels in Kabul. A conference on Afghanistan-China relations was held in one of its function rooms earlier Saturday, attended by the Chinese embassy`s political counsellor Zhang Zhixin. An AFP reporter who attended the conference passed through two vehicle security checkpoints. At the entrance to the building, there was a physical inspection that could be easily evaded by scaling a low-level barrier and entering the lobby. Security alerts sent in recent days to foreigners living in the Afghan capital warned that "extremist groups may be planning an attack against hotels in Kabul" as well as public gatherings and other locations "where foreigners are known to congregate". US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said it was not known if any American citizens had been caught up in the attack. Security in Kabul has been tightened since May 31 when a massive truck bomb ripped through the diplomatic quarter, killing some 150 people and wounding around 400 others -- mostly civilians. No group has yet claimed that attack. The Islamic State group has claimed most of the recent attacks in the Afghan capital, but authorities suspect that the Taliban-affiliated Haqqani Network has been involved in at least some of them. The deadliest of the recent attacks happened at a Shiite cultural centre on December 29 when a suicide bomber blew himself up, killing more than 40 people.

Attack on Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel continues, several dead