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Taleban attack Kabul luxury hotel Taleban attack Kabul luxury hotel
(20 minutes later)
The Taleban say four of their fighters have attacked the luxury Serena hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, popular with foreign visitors.The Taleban say four of their fighters have attacked the luxury Serena hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, popular with foreign visitors.
One guest told the BBC that there was a huge explosion followed by gunfire. Guests were rushed to the cellar for their own safety.One guest told the BBC that there was a huge explosion followed by gunfire. Guests were rushed to the cellar for their own safety.
Reports say at least one person was killed. The Taleban say one of their men managed to detonate a bomb.Reports say at least one person was killed. The Taleban say one of their men managed to detonate a bomb.
Last month, the Taleban carried out at least two suicide attacks in the city.Last month, the Taleban carried out at least two suicide attacks in the city.
'Escaped''Escaped'
Taleban spokesman Zadihullah Mujahid told the BBC that the four Taleban attackers were armed with Kalashnikovs and grenades. Taleban spokesman Zadihullah Mujahid told the BBC that the four Taleban fighters were suicide attackers, armed with Kalashnikovs, grenades and explosives jackets.
He said that one of the men managed to let off his explosives inside the hotel and the others escaped.He said that one of the men managed to let off his explosives inside the hotel and the others escaped.
The attack on the hotel, which is heavily guarded, happened early in the evening.The attack on the hotel, which is heavily guarded, happened early in the evening.
A guest who was in the hotel gym told the BBC she heard a huge explosion followed by gunfire. She also said she saw one body in the hotel.
There are conflicting reports over the sequence of the attack and some reports say two security guards were killed.
The BBC has been told that the Norwegian ambassador to Afghanistan and a delegation from the Norwegian embassy were at the hotel at the time.The BBC has been told that the Norwegian ambassador to Afghanistan and a delegation from the Norwegian embassy were at the hotel at the time.
Many international workers are based at the Serena.Many international workers are based at the Serena.
In December the Taleban carried out two suicide bombings in Kabul, killing 13 people in one attack.In December the Taleban carried out two suicide bombings in Kabul, killing 13 people in one attack.
Later in December, a rocket attack near the Kabul governor's residence killed five people.Later in December, a rocket attack near the Kabul governor's residence killed five people.


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