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In Afghanistan, Taliban carry out two attacks, raiding hotel, police station, killing at least 11 In Afghanistan, Taliban carry out two attacks, raiding hotel, police station, killing at least 11
(about 1 hour later)
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. KABUL —
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.
According to Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Seddiqi, four teenagers, armed with pistols and disguised as guests, entered the Serena Hotel on Thursday. Taliban insurgents exchanged gunfire with security forces inside a posh hotel near the presidential palace in the Afghan capital on Thursday, just hours after militants killed 10 police officers in a brazen attack farther east.
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. The attacks came on a day when 77 suspected Taliban fighters captured by Western forces were released from prison.
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. Sediq Seddiqi, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said four teenagers armed with pistols and disguised as guests entered the Serena Hotel on Thursday.
Hours later, when hotel guests were having dinner, the gunmen opened fire, Seddiqi said.
Hotel guards and Afghan security forces rushed the guests to a safe room. After hours of sporadic gunfire, the assailants were killed, Seddiqi told reporters.
“The guests are under protection of police,” he said.“The guests are under protection of police,” he said.
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. He said a foreign employee of the hotel was wounded, but the spokesman did not say whether there were any other casualties.
Seddiqi called the attackers “terrorists,” but did not elaborate. A Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in an e-mail that his group was behind the attack. The Taliban had information that nationals of “occupying countries,” as well as Afghan government officials and some “corrupt” law­makers, were at the hotel to celebrate the Afghan new year, he said.
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.
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. Security at the hotel was beefed up after a Taliban suicide attack in 2008 killed seven people.
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. Earlier Thursday, Taliban militants raided a police station in the city of Jalalabad, killing 10 officers. Seven of the assailants were either fatally shot during the clash or were killed by explosives they carried.
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.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. 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 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, because 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 attacks came on a day that 77 suspected Taliban detainees captured by NATO-led forces were released.
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 releases come a month after the release of 65 inmates from a Bagram detention center, which drew stern criticism from United States and NATO, which considered the detainees dangerous.
The NATO-led force and U.S. military had no immediate comment about the latest releases. NATO and the U.S. military had no comment on the latest release.