Afghan Taliban gunmen attack popular Kabul lakeside hotel

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Afghan Taliban gunmen attack popular Kabul lakeside hotel

KABUL | Thu Jun 21, 2012 8:00pm EDT

(Reuters) - Afghan Taliban gunmen, some armed with rocket propelled grenades and heavy machine guns, have attacked a hotel in Kabul's popular Qargha Lake recreation area, triggering a gunbattle, Afghan police said on Friday.

"Insurgents armed with RPG rockets, and heavy and light weapons, are inside the Spozhmai Hotel and fighting with security forces. We don't know their numbers and if there have been casualties," said Mohammad Zahir, head of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Kabul police.

The Afghan Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying wealthy Afghans and foreigners used the hotel to have "wild parties" in the leadup to the Friday religious day holiday.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/22/us-afghanistan-hotel-idUSBRE85K1S920120622

[Eugene]

1. Afghan forces end Taliban siege of hotel, 20 dead

Source: Reuters

Afghan forces end Taliban siege of hotel, 20 dead

By Mirwais Harooni and Samar Zwak
KABUL | Fri Jun 22, 2012 7:58am EDT

(Reuters) - Elite Afghan police backed by NATO forces ended a 12-hour siege on Friday at a popular hotel outside Kabul, leaving at least 20 dead after Taliban gunmen stormed the lakeside building, bursting into a party and seizing dozens of hostages.

The night-time assault on the hotel with rocket-propelled grenades, suicide vests and machine guns again proved how potent the Islamist insurgency remains after a decade of war.

Terrified guests jumped into the lake in the darkness to escape the carnage, Afghan officials and residents said. Up to 300 people had been inside the hotel when the attack began.

Afghan interior ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said 12 to 15 civilians, two hotel guards and a policeman were killed in the gunbattle at the Spozhmai hotel, overlooking Qargha Lake. Five attackers were also killed.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/22/us-afghanistan-hotel-idUSBRE85K1S920120622