A Spanish citizen was among 21 people who were killed when a group of suicide bombers attacked the luxury Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul on Tuesday night, Interior Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
"The enemies of peace and stability committed another shameful crime by sending nine suicide bombers and attacking the Intercontinental Hotel in capital Kabul which left nine Afghan civilians an a Spanish citizen dead," the statement said.
According to the statement, nine suicide bombers and two policemen were also killed in explosion and gun battles lasted for more than four hours.
The statement said the attack begun at around 11:00 p.m. local time Tuesday and the operation against the attackers concluded at 03:00 a.m. local time Wednesday.
"As a result of timely reaction of Afghan National Police, Afghan National Army and Coalition forces backed by air power of the NATO-led international troops, all the nine suicide bombers were killed," said the statement.
The statement added 18 people including 13 civilians and five policemen were wounded in the incident.
"Ministry of Interior Affairs condemns in its strongest term this terrorist attack," the statement said.
Zabihullah Mujahid, who claims to speak for the Taliban outfit in talks with media via telephone from undisclosed locations, on Tuesday night claimed of responsibility, saying some Taliban fighters equipped with suicide vests and light arms stormed the Intercontinental Hotel and inflicted casualties to foreign and Afghan guests there.
The Intercontinental Hotel is one of the fortified accommodations in Afghan capital frequented by foreigners and Afghan officials.
Officials estimated that there were 60 to 70 guests staying at the hotel, located on a hilltop overlooking the capital city.
The attack comes weeks before foreign forces are expected to start withdrawal from the country. U.S. President Barack Obama announced last week a plan to withdraw 10,000 U.S. troops from Afghanistan this year.
English.news.cn 2011-06-29 19:04:24 FeedbackPrintRSS
KABUL, June 29 (Xinhua)
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