At least 35 people have been killed or injured by four gunmen in an attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in the Afghan capital, local media reported Saturday.

Heavy gunfire is taking place at Kabul's Intercontinental Hotel, TOLOnews reports. According to local police sources, several people have been taken hostage and some killed. Security services are responding to the crisis and reports state that at least two of the gunmen have been killed.

Afghanistan's Interior Ministry spokesman has confirmed to TOLOnews that the Intercontinental Hotel in the capital was attacked at about 21:00 local time (16:30 GMT) on Saturday. Reports say insurgents entered the building and police have cordoned off the area.

An Afghan spy agency official told AFP that there were four militants inside the hotel. According to TOLOnews, security forces and the militants are engaged in an exchange of gunfire.

Two the attackers has been reportedly killed, according to the BBC.