Deadly Shootout At Hotel In Afghan Capital
Four gunmen – said to be under 18 years old – who attacked
Serene hotel used by foreigners in the Afghan capital Kabul have been
killed in a shootout with security forces.
The terrorists entered the hotel claiming they were going for a meal. They hid their pistols in their socks.
A private security source disclosed to NBC he saw nine dead bodies being taken away from the scene, including five women and at least one child. It is unclear if the other bodies were those of the attackers.
Two guards were wounded.
The militants, with guns hidden down their socks, appear to have entered the hotel three hours before opening fire on guests celebrating the Afghan new year.
One person who was taken to safety along with other guests said the shooting began in the hotel restaurant.
The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack.
The hotel is considered the safest place to stay in Kabul, with visitors entering through an exterior gate and a checkpoint.
It is home to many United Nations staff and foreign delegations who have arrived to monitor next month's presidential election.
Six people were killed at the hotel by a suicide bomber in 2008, which led to security being tightened up.
The Taliban have intensified attacks ahead of the April 5 poll, which will choose a successor to President Hamid Karzai.
They say the vote is illegal because foreign troops are in the country.
Earlier in the day at least 11 people were killed in a suicide bomb and gun attack on a police station in the southern city of Jalalabad
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/62429.html
 |
An Afghan policeman near the scene. Credit: NBC
|
A private security source disclosed to NBC he saw nine dead bodies being taken away from the scene, including five women and at least one child. It is unclear if the other bodies were those of the attackers.
Two guards were wounded.
The militants, with guns hidden down their socks, appear to have entered the hotel three hours before opening fire on guests celebrating the Afghan new year.
One person who was taken to safety along with other guests said the shooting began in the hotel restaurant.
The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack.
The hotel is considered the safest place to stay in Kabul, with visitors entering through an exterior gate and a checkpoint.
It is home to many United Nations staff and foreign delegations who have arrived to monitor next month's presidential election.
Six people were killed at the hotel by a suicide bomber in 2008, which led to security being tightened up.
The Taliban have intensified attacks ahead of the April 5 poll, which will choose a successor to President Hamid Karzai.
They say the vote is illegal because foreign troops are in the country.
Earlier in the day at least 11 people were killed in a suicide bomb and gun attack on a police station in the southern city of Jalalabad
READ MORE: http://news.naij.com/62429.html
Comments
Post a Comment