Afghanistan Is Rocked By Two Deadly Taliban Attacks

In Afghanistan, Taliban Carry Out Two Attacks, Raiding Hotel, Police Station, Killing At Least 11 -- Washington Post

KABUL — 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.

The attacks came on a day when 77 suspected Taliban fighters captured by Western forces were released from prison.

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.

He said a foreign employee of the hotel was wounded, but the spokesman did not say whether there were any other casualties.

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More News On Today's Taliban Attacks In Afghanistan

2 Taliban Attacks In Afghanistan Show Dangers Loom -- NPR/AP
Taliban Attack Afghan Police, Luxury Hotel -- WSJ
Four teenage Taliban gunmen who stormed the 'safest hotel in Kabul' killed in three-hour shootout with security forces -- Daily Mail
Gunmen Attack Kabul Hotel Popular With Foreigners -- Voice of America
Gunmen attack hotel in Afghan capital; police kill 4 attackers -- Reuters
4 Taliban gunmen die in attack on Kabul hotel -- USA Today
Gunfire Erupts Inside a Luxury Hotel in Kabul -- New York Times
Taliban claim suicide assault on Jalalabad police HQ -- Long War Journal
Taliban Militants Storm Police Station in Eastern Afghanistan -- Voice of America
Afghan police station attack leaves at least 18 people dead -- BBC
Taliban suicide attack on Afghan police station kills 11 -- Reuters
Taliban Kill 10 Policemen in Eastern Afghanistan -- AP