Taliban attack at Park Palace Hotel

Afghan police investigations indicate that the attack at the Park Palace Hotel in central Kabul began from inside the hotel.

Kabul Police commander said that yet is how the attacker entered to the guest house in questionable.

Police said that at least five including four Indian and one US citizenship killed in the incident but United Nations political office in Afghanistan confirmed that 14 people have been killed in the incident.

Kabul police Chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi said, “Sixty people were rescued by security forces.”

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemned the attack in the strongest terms and declared that most of the killed and injured were civilians.

It has been said that at the coordinated attack that was launched in Park Palace Hotel was thought of the presence of Indian ambassador in the hotel.

Indian prime minister has also expressed regret to Afghanistan president few hours after the incident; adding “we are one when it comes to fighting terror”.

US embassy spokeswoman Monica Cummings also announced of one US citizenship also killed in the incident, saying “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims at this time.”

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the seven-hour assault, which triggered explosions and bursts of gunfire.

The attack took place when Taliban gunmen stormed Park Palace Hotel, a Kabul guesthouse on Wednesday night.

The attack happened during a celebration that featured a performance by the Indian singer Altaf Hussain. According to witnesses there were many Indian and Turkish nationals among the guests, alongside Afghan foreign ministry officials.

The hotel is located near a UN compound, which was put under immediate lockdown. In the past UN workers had been allowed to stay there. The guesthouse is still popular with foreigners, especially Indian nationals.

The Taliban have been escalating attacks across the country as part of their spring offensive, which has seen the insurgents gain ground in several provinces. Earlier on Wednesday, Taliban gunmen killed seven people at a religious gathering in the southern Helmand province.