Kabul hotel attack leaves 18 people dead

ISLAMABAD, Jan 21 (KUNA) -- The attack on the luxury hotel in Afghanistan's capital city Kabul ended after 17 hours killing at least 18 people and wounding many others, said initial reports.
According to Ministry of Interior, four attackers were involved in the attack that started on Saturday night when gunmen burst into Kabul's luxury Intercontinental Hotel; shooting at guests and staff and setting the building on fire. Earlier in the day, the ministry confirmed that at least five people, including the head of telecommunication department of Farah province, Jamaluddin Padshahkhil, and one foreigner, were killed and six wounded in the siege. At the time of the attack, at least 34 provincial officials were gathered at the hotel to participate in a conference organized by the Telecommunication Ministry.
Security forces rescued a total of 126 people including 41 foreigners. After a 17-hour stand-off against insurgents, security forces were finally able to bring the hotel under their control and gun down all attackers. Interior Ministry spokesman, Najib Danish told media that we recovered the bodies of at least four attackers as a clearance operation is ongoing in the building.
Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in a statement condemned the attack and called for regional and international consensus against states which sponsor and harbor terrorists. The president assigned a team to investigate the incident. Pakistan also strongly condemned the "brutal terrorist attack" at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul.
A statement by Pakistan Foreign Office said, "We express deep grief and sorrow at the loss of precious human lives and the injuring of many others in this terrorist act." We reiterate our strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In our view, cooperation among the states is important for effectively combating and eliminating the scourge of terrorism.
According to local media, Taliban rebels claimed responsibility for the attack saying that five attackers were involved in the siege. The incident came days after the US embassy in Kabul issued a warning saying that armed groups may be planning attacks against hotels in the city. Earlier in 2011, an overnight assault by Taliban fighters and suicide bombers on the hotel ended with security forces killing the attackers and resulted in the death of at least 21 people, including 10 civilians. (end) sbk.rk