Afghanistan's spy agency hints Pakistan's ISI may be behind Kabul Serena hotel attack

Afghanistan's spy agency has reportedly alleged that the attack on a Kabul hotel last week was the handiwork of a foreign intelligence service, and not of the Taliban or the Haqqani network.

A statement issued by Afghan President Hamid Karzai's office said that Afghanistan's intelligence agency had made the declaration at a meeting of top security officials.

While Kabul has often accused Pakistan of sending militants across the border to carry out attacks, it refrained from specifying which country was behind the attack, News 24 reported.

The Taliban, who vowed to disrupt plans for the April 5 Afghan presidential election had earlier claimed responsibility for the attack that killed nine people, including four foreigners.

Meanwhile, the spy agency said that neither Taliban nor the Haqqani militant group had any idea that such an attack was to take place.

The agency also alleged that the Pakistani religious schools were preparing their students to disrupt Afghanistan's presidential polls next month.