11 Civilians Killed in Kabul Hotel Attack
Afghan officials say a team of gunmen, including some suicide bombers, attacked a prominent hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, late Tuesday night. The fighting to re-secure the building lasted hours. Afghan security forces called in support from NATO helicopters.
Authorities say 11 civilians and all of the gunmen were killed in the fighting.
The nine gunmen, some wearing suicide vests, stormed the InterContinental hotel and began to go through the rooms, seeking out foreigners and visiting dignitaries to kill.
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International Security forces helicopters were called in to provide assistance to the Kabul security officers who had cordoned off the hotel, which is perched on an isolated hilltop in the western part of the capital. A NATO spokesman says those helicopters engaged militants on the hotel rooftop, killing three.
The gunmen stormed the hotel late in the evening Tuesday, while some guests were downstairs in the restaurant eating. After securing the building they are said to have begun a door-to-door search.
At least two blasts were heard with some reports of the number of explosions being much higher. Afghan authorities say that, during the fighting, they were able to kill two gunmen before the militants were able to detonate their suicide vests.
Guests and hotel employees fled for safety.
One witness expressed confusion at the unfolding situation.
"I don't think we really know quite what happened," the witness said.
A spokesman fo r the Taliban says their fighters conducted the raid to target foreigners and Afghans.
In Washington, the U.S. State Department said the attack shows the terrorists complete disregard from human life.
The hotel attack comes as a conference is to begin in the Capital to discuss the hand over of security from NATO to Afghan forces in seven areas, including Kabul.
This attack on one of Kabul's most prominent hotels is one of the worst in recent months and this year has seen an increase in attacks in the capital . All sides in the conflict appear to be stepping up the pressure as talks begin to bring the Taliban to the negotiating table.
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