A Taleban suicide squad broke into the only luxury hotel in Kabul last night, killing at least seven people, including an American and a Norwegian journalist, and forcing hundreds more to take shelter in a basement as a firefight raged in the lobby.
The attack, by a bomber and at least three men armed with AK47s, appeared to be the first big assault against a civilian target in the Afghan capital since a Taleban resurgence began in 2005. Witnesses described scenes of carnage inside the hotel, as American special forces entered the building in pursuit of the attackers.
Ban Ki Moon, the UN Secretary-General, said Jonas Gahr Støre, the Norwegian Foreign Minister, was the target of the attack. “They do not care whoever, whatever. This is really a serious crime against humanity,” Mr Ban told reporters.
Mr Støre, who was due to host a dinner at the heavily guarded Kabul Serena hotel, was unhurt but one of his staff was wounded and a journalist covering his visit died in hospital shortly after the explosion.
The attack, by a bomber and at least three men armed with AK47s, appeared to be the first big assault against a civilian target in the Afghan capital since a Taleban resurgence began in 2005. Witnesses described scenes of carnage inside the hotel, as American special forces entered the building in pursuit of the attackers.
Ban Ki Moon, the UN Secretary-General, said Jonas Gahr Støre, the Norwegian Foreign Minister, was the target of the attack. “They do not care whoever, whatever. This is really a serious crime against humanity,” Mr Ban told reporters.
Mr Støre, who was due to host a dinner at the heavily guarded Kabul Serena hotel, was unhurt but one of his staff was wounded and a journalist covering his visit died in hospital shortly after the explosion.
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