Afghanistan yesterday - 10 Killed In Taliban Attack On Intercontinental Hotel In Kabul

http://www.breakingnews.com/topic/kabul-hotel-attack

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack in a phone call to The Associated Press.

Times correspondent Jerome Starkey, who is near the hotel, told Sky News he heard short bursts of gunfire, but fighting appeared to have died down by 10pm UK time.

Several reports said wedding guests who were celebrating in the building at the time managed to flee the attack.

Local and provincial politicians, gathered for the security conference, were stuck inside but were not hurt.

Nazar Ali Wahedi, chief of intelligence for Helmand province in the south, called the assailants "the enemy of stability and peace".

"Our room was hit by several bullets," Mr Wahedi said. "We spent the whole night in our room."