This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/news/416513-kabul-hotel-attack-afghanistan/

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Hostages, casualties reported in gunmen attack on Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul (VIDEO) Gunmen attack Intercontinental Hotel in Afghan capital Kabul, reports of casualties (VIDEO)
(about 1 hour later)
The Intercontinental Hotel in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul is under attack according Reuters, citing an interior ministry spokesman. A group of gunmen has attacked the Intercontinental Hotel in Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, exchanging gunfire with security officials which resulted in several reported deaths. The attackers also took hostages.
The group of “three or four men,” who appeared to include suicide bombers, attacked the hotel Saturday and exchanged gunfire with security forces, according to ministry spokesman, Najib Danish. The group of up to four men attacked the hotel Saturday. Residents and staff fled amid the chaos during which the building caught fire. The attackers also took some hotel staff and guests hostage, Reuters report.
The attackers have taken several hostages in the hotel, according to local news agency Tolo News who cited Kabul police. The hotel’s manager, Ahmad Haris Nayab, escaped unhurt and told Reuters the attackers infiltrated the hotel through the kitchen and started shooting at fleeing guests.  
The hotel’s manager Ahmad Haris Nayab, who managed to escape unhurt, told Reuters the attackers infiltrated the hotel and started shooting at fleeing guests. He wasn’t able to provide  details about casualties, however a local news station reported some 35 casualties, citing a security source. Nayab wasn’t able to provide details about casualties. However, Nasrat Rahimi, an interior ministry spokesman, told Reuters several people had been killed and at least six wounded. In addition, at least two of the attackers – who all reportedly had a large supply of grenades – were killed by Afghan Special Forces.
The attackers are “shooting at guests,” according to AFP who cited an Afghan spy agency. A guest hiding in his room told the news agency he “heard gunfire from somewhere near the first floor."
"We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us," the trapped guest added. A guest hiding in his room told AFP he “heard gunfire from somewhere near the first floor." "We are hiding in our rooms. I beg the security forces to rescue us as soon as possible before they reach and kill us," the trapped guest added.
The fourth floor of the hotel is also on fire, according to an official from the National Directorate of Security who spoke to AFP. During the siege, the fourth floor of the hotel caught fire, according to an official from the National Directorate of Security who spoke to AFP.
A local news reporter for an Afghan television network reported hearing an explosion from outside the burning building. While a resident living close to the hotel reported hearing “another two explosions,” according to TOLO news. A local news reporter for an Afghan television network reported hearing an explosion from outside the burning building. While a resident living close to the hotel spoke about hearing “another two explosions,” according to TOLO news.
The gunmen entered through the hotel kitchen, before moving to rooms 104 and 105, according to local journalist Bilal Sarwary, who cited an Afghan special forces commander. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
There's no immediate reports of injuries and no group has claimed responsibility yet.
On Thursday, the US State Department warned of a possible attack in Kabul. The Department said it had received reports of “extremist groups” planning a hotel attack in the capital, “such as [on] the Hotel Baron near Hamid Karzai Int'l Airport.”On Thursday, the US State Department warned of a possible attack in Kabul. The Department said it had received reports of “extremist groups” planning a hotel attack in the capital, “such as [on] the Hotel Baron near Hamid Karzai Int'l Airport.”
The Intercontinental is one of two main luxury hotels in Kabul and previously came under attack in 2011. Seven people died in that assault, when several gunmen and suicide bombers, three of which detonated their devices, attacked the facility.The Intercontinental is one of two main luxury hotels in Kabul and previously came under attack in 2011. Seven people died in that assault, when several gunmen and suicide bombers, three of which detonated their devices, attacked the facility.
In 2014, nine people, including children, were killed during a Taliban attack on Kabul’s Serena Hotel. Four teenage gunman penetrated several layers of security by hiding pistols in their socks to infiltrate the venue favored by foreign visitors.In 2014, nine people, including children, were killed during a Taliban attack on Kabul’s Serena Hotel. Four teenage gunman penetrated several layers of security by hiding pistols in their socks to infiltrate the venue favored by foreign visitors.
If you like this story, share it with a friend!If you like this story, share it with a friend!