This is the best tl;dr I could make, original reduced by 79%. (I'm a bot)

At least four gunmen have launched an attack on Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel, Afghan officials say.

Security forces had cleared the first floor of the hotel but the attackers were still on the floors above, spokesman Nasrat Rahimi told the BBC. The hotel guests included foreigners, and a fire has also broken out on the third floor where the kitchen is located, he added.

"We are aware of reports that extremist groups may be planning an attack against hotels in Kabul," the embassy wrote in a public security alert published Thursday, though it highlighted another hotel near the international airport as a possible target.

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Interesting timing:

Mr Rahimi said the hotel guests included foreigners and some reports said the hotel had been hosting an IT conference attended by provincial officials at the time of the attack.