A health ministry official Mohibullah Zeer told TOLOnews early Sunday morning that medical personnel have not been able to get to the wounded who are trapped inside the Intercontinental Hotel – more than 10 hours after insurgents stormed the building.

Zeer said however that medical personnel had managed to get some of the wounded out of the hotel and they took three to Wazir Akbar Khan hospital, two to Kabul Emergency hospital and a number of others to military hospitals.

However, security forces were still battling at least two insurgents inside the hotel on Sunday morning – a clash that was preventing medics from getting to the wounded.

Plumes of black smoke also rose from the hotel early Saturday morning in what was clearly a big fire. One side of the hotel had also been burnt black. 

Officials have however not given details on the casualty toll.

The father of one man who was in the hotel at the time of the attack said he had been in contact with his son early in the attack but has since lost contact.

He said he is afraid some of the guests and staff are being held hostage.

However, there was no confirmation to this effect.

TOLOnews journalist at the scene, Sharif Amiry, said the clearing operation is taking place very slowly due to the number of civilians in the large, landmark hotel.