5 dead after gunmen storm Kabul guesthouse popular with foreigners
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Version 0 of 1. KABUL — Militants stormed a guesthouse frequented by foreigners in the Afghan capital Wednesday night, leading to a five-hour siege that resulted in the death of five people, including one American, authorities said. The U.S. Embassy confirmed the death of the American but did not reveal the person’s identity. “We have no further information at this time,” embassy spokeswoman Monica Cummings said. The Associated Press, citing Kabul’s police chief, Gen. Abdul Rahman Rahimi, reported early Thursday that five people were killed, six were wounded and 54 hostages were rescued. The Reuters news agency, citing a diplomat, said two Indian nationals were among the dead. The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the Associated Press. An Afghan security official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the situation with the news media, said several gunmen entered the Park Palace guesthouse about 8 p.m. Police and soldiers rushed to the scene and surrounded the building, and bursts of gunfire could be heard. Earlier, Afghan Deputy Interior Minister Ayub Salangi said that at least two civilians were killed in the attack but that he did not know their nationalities. Two foreigners and a soldier were reported to be among the six injured. Salangi said security forces killed two people suspected of being gunmen, one of whom was shot before he could detonate a suicide vest. As the siege continued early Thursday, officials feared that a third terrorist could still be in the building, he added. Earlier, a Park Palace employee told Agence France-Presse that he saw at least five bloodied bodies near the entrance. The news agency said the employee, who did not wish to be named, managed to flee the guesthouse. The Park Palace is well known for hosting foreigners visiting Kabul on business. Staffers of the United Nations had rented rooms there, but they reportedly vacated the property several months ago. Shortly before 11 p.m., Afghan security forces rescued about seven people from the guesthouse. One of those freed was musician Khalid Hamahang, who said the Afghan Foreign Ministry had been preparing to hold a classical music performance at the guesthouse when the attack occurred. Hamahang said that as many as 100 people, including government officials, had arrived for the event when the gunfire started. “When I heard gunshots, I understood they were coming inside,” said Hamahang, who quickly locked himself in a room. “Everyone was terrified.” Read more: Taliban brings war to Afghan capital, threatening stability and endangering foreigners Kabul was eerie and dangerous under the Taliban. It feels that way again. Taliban attacks guesthouse of U.S.-based charity |