That attack was claimed by the ISIS, making it the Sunni militant group’s first attack in the Afghan capital and the biggest attack in Kabul since the Taliban launched their insurgency in 2001.
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People living in Kabul have taken to social media to describe the blast, which happened at 1.25am (local time).
The electricity in parts of Kabul was reportedly briefly cut off shortly before the explosion.
An e-mail message from Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the insurgents had attacked Northgate.
Early reports suggest it was a lorry bomb and the compound was housing foreign contractors.
“A truck full of explosives exploded near the entrance of Northgate [hotel]”, reported Bilal Sarwary, another local journalist, citing police, adding that there were reportedly four attackers involved.
The Taliban said the truck bomb at a guest house belonging to “American invaders” paved the way for their fighters to enter the facility with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. The terrorists allegedly explained that they had targeted the hotel because it is a foreign luxury site located away from civilian homes.
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Afghan security forces were exchanging fire with the apparent assailants. All of the gunmen and several Nepali and Afghan security guards died in that attack.
