At least 18 people were killed when gunmen raided the Intercontinental Hotel in Afghanistan’s capital of Kabul, Afghan officials said.
Jan. 21 (UPI) — At least 18 people were killed when gunmen raided the Intercontinental Hotel in Afghanistan ‘s capital of Kabul, Afghan officials said.
The more than 12-hour standoff between gunmen and Afghan security forces ended Sunday, leaving at least 14 foreign nationals and four Afghans dead, Ministry of Interior spokesman Najib Danish told CNN .
Four gunmen were also killed by Afghan security forces.
Ukraine officials said Ukranian nationals were among the victims.
« Shocked by the tragic news from Afghanistan, » said Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko . « Ukrainian citizens, employees of the Ukrainian airline, fell victims of the terrorist attack in Kabul. »
Three police officers and three civilians were also injured in the incident, while 153 hotel guests and staff members were safely escorted from the scene ABC News reported .
CNN reported the attackers were affiliated with the Pakistan-based Haqqani network, but Pakistan’s ministry of foreign affairs publicly condemned the attack.
« We reiterate our strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. In our view, cooperation among the states is important for effectively combating and eliminating the scourge of terrorism, » a statement said.
U. S. Ambassador John R. Bass also spoke out against the assault and praised the Afghan security forces for their deft response.
« Such violence has no place here or anywhere in the world, » Bass said. « Afghanistan deserves peace and security — not deliberate and murderous attacks on innocent civilians. »
The hotel was attacked previously in 2011 by seven Taliban gunmen who died in the attack along with 11 other people.
