Kabul, Taliban attack in a hotel
hours of fear: 19 dead, 18 hostages released

KABUL – It was a night of terror for about twenty people, attacked and taken hostage by three Taliban armed with explosive vest, rocket launcher and machine guns. Place of the attack, a hotel in the area of ​​Lake Qargha, a few kilometers north of the capital. Objective chosen because in the residence, frequented by foreigners, alcohol was served. That in the Taliban’s claim they have become “wild parties” because they are contrary to the spirit of Islam.

The three bombers – one of whom blew themselves up during the attack, killing at least four civilians, five Taliban soldiers, three security guards and a policeman – unleashed a battle with security forces after 11 pm. The two survivors barricaded themselves in the Spojhmai hotel, taking women and children hostage.

At the time, the police reported that a group of civilians had just finished a picnic or were attending a wedding party. But in a claim, the Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, assured that to be attacked was “a group of military and diplomatic foreigners, invited by some senior administrative officer from Kabul”.

The security forces’ blitz did not start immediately, but only with the light of dawn: “It would be easy to kill them – said General Mahammad Zahir, head of the Kabul police investigation unit – but we are afraid of civilians being held prisoner “. That the blitz was inevitable, the deputy chief of police of Kabul, Daoud Amin, had confirmed that he had made it known that the salvation of the hostages would be the priority. The operation ended with the release of 18 hostages.

In recent days, Taliban violence has increased: a series of suicide bombings against the Afghan army and NATO forces has left 23 dead, 20 among the Afghan army and three among US troops.

The Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, has categorically condemned today the attack of the Taliban at the Spozhmai hotel-restaurant, on Lake Qargha near Kabul, calling it “a sign of their defeat”. In a statement released by the presidential press services, Karzai argued in particular that “the attack on a picnic is indeed a sign of defeat for the enemies of Afghanistan”.

(June 22, 2012)