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Taleban attack Kabul luxury hotel Taleban attack Kabul luxury hotel
(40 minutes later)
Four heavily armed Taleban fighters have attacked the Serena hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, the main hotel there for international visitors. Four Taleban fighters have attacked a hotel in the Afghan capital, Kabul, used by aid workers and diplomats.
Guests, including the Norwegian foreign minister, were rushed to the cellar to escape the attackers. Casualty figures are unclear, but a Norwegian newspaper says one of its reporters was killed.
Guests, who included 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. The first confirmed death in the attack was that of Carsten Thomassen, 39, who worked for the Oslo newspaper, Dagbladet.
'Escaped''Escaped'
Taleban spokesman Zadihullah Mujahid told the BBC that one of the four suicide attackers managed to let off his explosives inside the hotel, while the others escaped. We didn't see anything but we heard it very close. It was a big bomb and the building was shaking a bit Anne Lene Dale Sandsten,Norwegian foreign ministry Eyewitness: Hotel carnage Taleban spokesman Zadihullah Mujahid told the BBC that one of the four attackers managed to let off his explosives inside the hotel, while the others escaped. We didn't see anything but we heard it very close. It was a big bomb and the building was shaking a bit Anne Lene Dale SandstenNorwegian foreign ministry Eyewitness: Hotel carnage
The attack on the heavily-guarded hotel happened early in the evening.The attack on the heavily-guarded hotel happened early in the evening.
There are conflicting reports on how the attack unfolded and the number of people killed is unclear.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gah Store was in the hotel, together with other Norwegian officials, when the attackers struck.Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gah Store was in the hotel, together with other Norwegian officials, 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.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 had security people with us and we were told to lie down."
Ms Sandsten confirmed that one member of the Norwegian foreign ministry and a Norwegian journalist were injured. Ms Sandsten confirmed that one member of the Norwegian foreign ministry was injured.
"Later on we were evacuated to a secure place in the cellar of the hotel.""Later on we were evacuated to a secure place in the cellar of the hotel."
Other guests were also taken to the cellar for safety.Other guests were also taken to the cellar for safety.
The attacked happened early in the eveningA Norwegian photographer inside the hotel, Stian L Solum, said: "There were two or three bombs and there was complete chaos."The attacked happened early in the eveningA Norwegian photographer inside the hotel, Stian L Solum, said: "There were two or three bombs and there was complete chaos."
Suzanne Griffin, a US aid worker who was in the gym, told the Associated Press news agency that the gunfire had been "close enough that plaster came off the ceiling".Suzanne Griffin, a US aid worker who was in the gym, told the Associated Press news agency that the gunfire had been "close enough that plaster came off the ceiling".
"We had to step over a woman's dead body. She was one of the gym people," she added."We had to step over a woman's dead body. She was one of the gym people," she added.
A spokesman for the Nato peacekeeping force in Afghanistan said hotel guards killed one of the attackers before he got inside the building.A spokesman for the Nato peacekeeping force in Afghanistan 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.An eyewitness, Ghulam Haidar, told Reuters news agency that a guard had been killed.
Deteriorating securityDeteriorating security
The BBC's defence and security correspondent, Rob Watson, says Nato officials say suicide attacks are a sign of the Taleban's weakness, not its strength.The BBC's defence and security correspondent, Rob Watson, says Nato officials say suicide attacks are a sign of the Taleban's weakness, not its strength.
They argue the Taleban has been forced into such tactics because of Nato's overwhelming military superiority and a series of defeats on the conventional battlefield, he says.They argue the Taleban has been forced into such tactics because of Nato's overwhelming military superiority and a series of defeats on the conventional battlefield, he says.
But Nato and Afghan officials concede that suicide attacks provide spectacular publicity for the insurgents, our correspondent adds.But Nato and Afghan officials concede that suicide attacks provide spectacular publicity for the insurgents, our correspondent adds.
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 that month, a rocket attack near the Kabul governor's residence killed five people.Later that month, a rocket attack near the Kabul governor's residence killed five people.
Security in much of Afghanistan has deteriorated in the past 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 past two years as the Taleban have renewed their attacks on Afghan security forces and Western troops.
US-led forces toppled the Taleban government in late 2001.US-led forces toppled the Taleban government in late 2001.
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