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Taleban attack Kabul luxury hotel Taleban attack Kabul luxury hotel
(about 1 hour later)
Four heavily armed Taleban fighters have attacked the Serena hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, the main hotel there for international visitors.Four heavily armed Taleban fighters have attacked the Serena hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, the main hotel there for international visitors.
Guests, including the Norwegian foreign minister, were rushed to the cellar to escape the attackers.Guests, including the Norwegian foreign minister, were rushed to the cellar to escape the attackers.
There was at least one explosion, which the Taleban say was caused by one of their men detonating a 'suicide jacket', as well as shooting.There was at least one explosion, which the Taleban say was caused by one of their men detonating a 'suicide jacket', as well as shooting.
Casualty figures are not clear. Police have kept journalists from the scene.Casualty figures are not clear. Police have kept journalists from the scene.
'Escaped''Escaped'
Taleban spokesman Zadihullah Mujahid told the BBC that the four Taleban fighters were suicide attackers, armed with Kalashnikovs, grenades and explosives jackets.Taleban spokesman Zadihullah Mujahid told the BBC that the four Taleban fighters were suicide attackers, armed with Kalashnikovs, grenades and explosives jackets.
He said that one of the men managed to let off his explosives inside the hotel and the others escaped.He said that one of the men managed to let off his explosives inside the hotel and the others escaped.
The attack on the hotel, which is heavily guarded, happened early in the evening.The attack on the hotel, which is heavily guarded, happened early in the evening.
There are conflicting reports on how the attack unfolded and the number of people killed is unclear.There are conflicting reports on how the attack unfolded and the number of people killed is unclear.
One female guest who was in the gym told the BBC that there was a huge explosion followed by gunfire at the hotel, which is popular with international visitors as a dining venue as well as a hotel. 'Building shaking'
Another guest, American aid worker, Suzanne Griffin, was also in the gym. "Thank God I didn't get into the shower because then we heard gunfire, a lot of it," she said, the Associated Press news agency reports. Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gah Store was in the hotel, together with a delegation from the Norwegian embassy, when the attackers struck.
Norwegian foreign ministry spokeswoman Anne Lene Dale Sandsten told the BBC News website: "We were in a meeting one level down from the reception when we heard shooting and then a big blast go off one level up.
"We had security people with us and we were told to lie down.
"We didn't see anything but we heard it very close. It was a big bomb and the building was shaking a bit.
A policeman guarding the Serena after the attack
Ms Sandsten confirmed that one member of the Norwegian foreign ministry and a Norwegian journalist were injured.
"Later on we were evacuated to a secure place in the cellar of the hotel. We have been here ever since. They have been evacuating people out and checking the hotel."
Other guests were also taken to the hotel cellar for safety.
A Norwegian photographer inside the hotel, Stian L Solum said: "There were two or three bombs, and there was complete chaos."
American aid worker, Suzanne Griffin, was in the gym. "Thank God I didn't get into the shower because then we heard gunfire, a lot of it," she said, the Associated Press news agency reports.
"It was very close - close enough that plaster came off the ceiling... We all just sat on the floor and got as far as we could from any glass and huddled on the floor. We turned our phones on silent."It was very close - close enough that plaster came off the ceiling... We all just sat on the floor and got as far as we could from any glass and huddled on the floor. We turned our phones on silent.
"We had to step over a woman's dead body. She was one of the gym people," Ms Griffin said."We had to step over a woman's dead body. She was one of the gym people," Ms Griffin said.
A Norwegian photographer inside the hotel, Stian L Solum said: "There were two or three bombs, and there was complete chaos."
A spokesman for the Nato peacekeeping force said hotel guards killed one of the attackers before he got inside the building.A spokesman for the Nato peacekeeping force said hotel guards killed one of the attackers before he got inside the building.
An eyewitness, Ghulam Haidar, told Reuters news agency that a guard had been killed. "I saw one dead body of the guard near the entrance of the hotel. I don't know anything else because the attackers entered inside the hotel after they shot the guards."An eyewitness, Ghulam Haidar, told Reuters news agency that a guard had been killed. "I saw one dead body of the guard near the entrance of the hotel. I don't know anything else because the attackers entered inside the hotel after they shot the guards."
Norwegians injured Deteriorating security
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gah Store was in the hotel, together with a delegation from the Norwegian embassy, when the attackers struck.
A policeman guarding the Serena after the attack
One Norwegian journalist and one member of the Norwegian diplomatic team were injured.
Many international workers are based at the Serena.Many international workers are based at the Serena.
In December the Taleban carried out two suicide bombings in Kabul, killing 13 people in one attack.In December the Taleban carried out two suicide bombings in Kabul, killing 13 people in one attack.
Later in December, a rocket attack near the Kabul governor's residence killed five people.Later in December, a rocket attack near the Kabul governor's residence killed five people.
Security in much of Afghanistan has deteriorated in the last two years as the Taleban have renewed their attacks on Afghan security forces and Western troops.Security in much of Afghanistan has deteriorated in the last two years as the Taleban have renewed their attacks on Afghan security forces and Western troops.
They now have significant influence across the countryside in most of Afghanistan.They now have significant influence across the countryside in most of Afghanistan.
US-led forces toppled the Taleban in late 2001. However many Afghans complain that since then President Hamid Karzai's government has failed to bring about economic improvements and that corruption is as big a problem as ever.US-led forces toppled the Taleban in late 2001. However many Afghans complain that since then President Hamid Karzai's government has failed to bring about economic improvements and that corruption is as big a problem as ever.
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