Explosions followed by continuing gunshots have been heard near a hotel in the Qargha Lake area in the western outskirts of Kabul early Friday, local sources told Xinhua, adding that some Taliban militants are fighting with Afghan security forces at the hotel.

The official, who asked not to be named, said that casualties are feared as some Taliban militants are still fighting with the security forces at the hotel about 10 km west of downtown Kabul.