Several attackers believed to be wearing suicide vests stormed a luxury hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, late Tuesday and early reports indicate that 10 people have been killed.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack on the Intercontinental Hotel. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the group was targeting foreign guests and that heavy casualties have been inflicted. However, the Taliban often exaggerates the number of casualties in attacks against Western and Afghan government targets.

Police said a wedding party was under way when the attack occurred. They said at least one suicide bomber blew himself up inside the hotel. However, witnesses reported at least three loud explosions and gunfire inside and outside the hotel.

Police blocked off streets leading to the hotel, situated on a hill overlooking the Afghan capital and said the entire area was in darkness.

Violence has flared across Afghanistan since the Taliban announced its spring offensive and the United States is set to start withdrawing troops from Afghanistan in the coming weeks.

In other violence Tuesday, NATO said three of its service members died in separate insurgent and bomb attacks in southern Afghanistan.

Also in the south, authorities said a roadside bomb killed two women and wounded a child in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province.