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Taliban attack on Kabul lakeside resort leaves at least two dozen dead Taliban attack on Kabul lakeside resort leaves at least two dozen dead
(40 minutes later)
At least two dozen people have been killed during a Taliban attack on Qargha Lake, a resort on the outskirts of Kabul. Seven insurgents, who were among the dead, stormed a hotel and restaurant at the lakeside with rocket-propelled grenades, AK-47s and machine guns on Thursday night.At least two dozen people have been killed during a Taliban attack on Qargha Lake, a resort on the outskirts of Kabul. Seven insurgents, who were among the dead, stormed a hotel and restaurant at the lakeside with rocket-propelled grenades, AK-47s and machine guns on Thursday night.
The Taliban fighters took those inside hostage and began a more than 11-hour battle with Afghan security forces. Afghan police said the presence of hostages made it difficult for them to bring the situation at the Spugmay restaurant to a quick end.The Taliban fighters took those inside hostage and began a more than 11-hour battle with Afghan security forces. Afghan police said the presence of hostages made it difficult for them to bring the situation at the Spugmay restaurant to a quick end.
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the hotel and restaurant were frequented by foreigners and Afghan government officials. Taliban officials also said the restaurant of served alcohol. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the hotel and restaurant were frequented by foreigners and Afghan government officials. Taliban officials also said the restaurant served alcohol.
"The mujahideen entered a small hotel and attacked a neighbouring hotel that was used by foreigners for their illicit fun and having parties. It was a special hotel for Afghan government officials and foreigners," says Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman."The mujahideen entered a small hotel and attacked a neighbouring hotel that was used by foreigners for their illicit fun and having parties. It was a special hotel for Afghan government officials and foreigners," says Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman.
Located about 30 minutes outside Kabul city centre, Qargha Lake is a popular weekend retreat for Afghans. There are a number of hotels and a golf course. Though foreigners often visit Qargha, it is predominately an Afghan attraction, particularly the Spugmay restaurant.Located about 30 minutes outside Kabul city centre, Qargha Lake is a popular weekend retreat for Afghans. There are a number of hotels and a golf course. Though foreigners often visit Qargha, it is predominately an Afghan attraction, particularly the Spugmay restaurant.
Though Mujahid claimed the Taliban fighters only killed Afghan government workers and foreigners, the group has a history of exaggerating the effectiveness of its operations and claiming to have killed foreign soldiers when only Afghan civilians have been left dead.Though Mujahid claimed the Taliban fighters only killed Afghan government workers and foreigners, the group has a history of exaggerating the effectiveness of its operations and claiming to have killed foreign soldiers when only Afghan civilians have been left dead.
Kabul's police chief, General Ayoub Salangi, told reporters that between 250 to 300 hostages were freed in the initial hours of the fighting and another 40 were freed in the morning. Children were among the hostages.Kabul's police chief, General Ayoub Salangi, told reporters that between 250 to 300 hostages were freed in the initial hours of the fighting and another 40 were freed in the morning. Children were among the hostages.
Several people jumped into the lake to escape the attack but, unable to swim, had to cling to a stonewall overnight before rescuers were able to reach them on Friday morning. Though Nato forces provided helicopter support, Afghan security forces led the operation which ended at about 11am. Several people jumped into the lake to escape the attack but, unable to swim, had to cling to a stone wall overnight before rescuers were able to reach them on Friday morning. Though Nato forces provided helicopter support, Afghan security forces led the operation which ended at about 11am.
Despite the civilian casualties, Waliullah Rahmani, executive director of the Kabul Center for Strategic Studies, says the Taliban will consider the attack a success. For the insurgents, the most important point is often simply conducting high-profile attacks like Friday's that draw heavy media attention. The commander of Nato forces in Afghanistan, General John Allen said he suspected the Taliban-linked Haqqani group, which continued to operate from Pakistan, of being behind the assault on the hotel.
"For them keeping the Afghan security forces busy around the capital, projecting fear, and creating the picture of the Taliban that they can wage attacks on every target in Afghanistan means a success," said Rahmani. "Afghan national security forces and coalition military sources acknowledge that this attack bears the signature of the Haqqani network, which continues to target and kill innocent Afghans and blatantly violate Afghan sovereignty from the safety of Pakistan," he said in a statement.
Afghanistan has seen attacks by insurgents in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period last year, but such incidents shake Afghans' confidence about the stability of their country. Despite the civilian casualties, Waliullah Rahmani, executive director of the Kabul Centre for Strategic Studies, says the Taliban will consider the attack a success. For the insurgents, the most important point is often simply conducting high-profile attacks, like Friday's, that draw heavy media attention.
"As long as these kinds of attacks continue, the people of Afghanistan get more concerned about the situation in the country," said Anwar Khan Oryakhail, an MP from Kabul. "This was an attack on place where people just go for picnics to spend a few happy moments." "For them, keeping the Afghan security forces busy around the capital, projecting fear, and creating the picture of the Taliban that they can wage attacks on every target in Afghanistan means a success," said Rahmani.
Afghanistan has seen a decreased number of attacks by insurgents in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same period last year, but such incidents shake Afghans' confidence about the stability of their country.
"As long as these kinds of attacks continue, the people of Afghanistan get more concerned about the situation in the country," said Anwar Khan Oryakhail, an MP from Kabul. "This was an attack on a place where people just go for picnics to spend a few happy moments."
Qargha Lake likely proved an easier target for the Taliban than those inside the city. Insurgents reportedly entered from the west, bypassing Kabul's police checkpoints.Qargha Lake likely proved an easier target for the Taliban than those inside the city. Insurgents reportedly entered from the west, bypassing Kabul's police checkpoints.
The Taliban last conducted a big attack in Kabul on 15 April when insurgents took over buildings in several locations throughout the capital and in three provinces in the east. The 18-hour siege left 11 Afghan security forces and four civilians dead. Security forces killed 36 insurgents and arrested one other.The Taliban last conducted a big attack in Kabul on 15 April when insurgents took over buildings in several locations throughout the capital and in three provinces in the east. The 18-hour siege left 11 Afghan security forces and four civilians dead. Security forces killed 36 insurgents and arrested one other.
Additional reporting by Zubair BabakarkhailAdditional reporting by Zubair Babakarkhail