[5] Shortly before a concert was due to begin, three gunmen stormed the Park Palace Guest House in Kabul.

[8] Recent attacks targeting foreigners[9] as well as the March 2015 arrest of a commander of what US and other officials formerly called the "Kabul Attack Network"[10] had previously highlighted a potential for future targeting of foreign, particularly NATO-based nationals in the anticipated spring offensive launched annually by the Taliban.

The Indian ambassador to Afghanistan, Amar Sinha, was also believed to be inside the hotel at the particular time, which may have made the location more high-profile.

A survivor of the attack who fled the premises initially gave media reports of up to forty foreigners possibly trapped inside, with Indian officials confirming at least six of their nationals at the guesthouse.

The highly respected American aid expert Paula Kantor lost her life shortly after the attack, due to her injuries.