This article is from the source 'washpo' 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 http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/taliban-kill-10-policemen-in-eastern-afghanistan/2014/03/20/3e474b8e-b006-11e3-95e8-39bef8e9a48b_story.html?wprss=rss_world

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Taliban kill 10 policemen in eastern Afghanistan In Afghanistan, Taliban carry out two attacks, raiding hotel, police station, killing at least 11
(about 2 hours later)
KABUL — A group of Taliban militants raided an Afghan police station in a bold attack Thursday, killing 10 officers and adding to the concerns about security threats for next month’s crucial presidential vote. KABUL — Suspected Taliban insurgents exchanged gunfire with security forces inside a posh hotel near the presidential palace on Thursday, just hours after militants killed 10 police in a brazen attack in the east of the country.
The group included seven assailants who were either gunned down at the station during a four-hour clash in eastern city of Jalalabad or were killed by explosives they had on their bodies. The attacks create further concerns over the crucial April 5 presidential election and come on a day when 77 suspected Taliban fighters captured by Western forces were released from prison.
The predawn attack began when a suicide bomber blew up a vehicle at the entrance of the police station, located close to key government buildings, including the governor’s office. According to Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Seddiqi, four teenagers, armed with pistols and disguised as guests, entered the Serena Hotel on Thursday.
This allowed six other militants to make their way inside the police base, officials said. Hours later, when hotel guests, including foreigners, were having supper amid preparations by some to celebrate the Afghan new year, the four gunmen hiding at toilets opened fire, Sediqqi said.
“In total, as a result of the incident, 10 of our brave policemen and one civilian were martyred, and 14 more people, including police were wounded,” Abdul Rahim Abdulzai, a spokesman for the governor said. Hotel guards and Afghan security forces rushed to take the guests to a safe room. After couple of hours of sporadic gunfire, the assailants were killed, Seddiqi told reporters.
According to a police officer, the impact of the first blast damaged a number of buildings as well police vehicles. “The guests are under protection of police,” he said.
The resurgent Taliban, who have pledged to derail the April 5 election, claimed responsibility for the attack. Seddiqi said a foreign employee of the hotel was wounded, but could not say for sure if there were any other casualties. Several ambulances were seen rushing to the three-story hotel.
The incident comes a day after 16 civilians lost their lives in an apparent premature suicide blast in northern Faryab province. Seddiqi called the attackers “terrorists,” but did not elaborate.
A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said militants, including suicide bombers, were behind the attack. The Taliban, he said in an e-mail, had prior information that nationals of “occupying countries,” Afghans government officials and some “corrupt” lawmakers were there to celebrated the new year.
The assailants managed to get their weapons past tight hotel security, including body searches and X-ray machines. Security at the hotel was beefed up after a Taliban suicide bomb attack in 2008 killed seven people, including foreigners.
Earlier Thursday, a group of Taliban militants raided an Afghan police station, killing 10 officers. The group included seven assailants who were either gunned down at the station during a four-hour clash in eastern city of Jalalabad or were killed by explosives they had on their bodies.
The predawn attack began when a suicide bomber blew up a vehicle at the entrance of the police station, located close to key government buildings, including the governor’s office. This allowed six other militants to make their way inside the police base, officials said.
In addition to the 10 police officers and seven attackers, another person was killed and 14 were injured authorities say.
The attacks came as Afghanistan plans to hold its presidential election on April 5. The vote is seen as a key point in the nation’s history as it could result in the first peaceful transition of power in Afghanistan.
The attacks also came on a day with the Afghan government freed 77 suspected Taliban detainees who were held at Bagram prison. The detainees were captured by U.S. and NATO led forces during operations against the militants over the past years.
The releases come a month after the freedom of 65 inmates from Bagram which drew stern criticism from United States and NATO who considered them as dangerous.
The NATO-led force and U.S. military had no immediate comment about the latest releases.