Militants storm Kabul hotel, 13 dead

Kabul: Thirteen people, including six attackers, were killed and eight others injured when Taliban militants stormed a luxury hotel frequented by foreign nationals in the Afghan capital, Xinhua reported Wednesday.

Militants targeted the Intercontinental Hotel around 10.00 p.m. Tuesday with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.

The ensuing exchange of fire between the militants and police lasted till early Wednesday morning.

Interior Minister Bismillah Mohammadi told reporters that the fighting has ended. Seven civilians were among the dead.

The fortified hotel is popular with foreign and Afghan officials. At least 60 guests were staying at the hotel at the time of the attack. It was not immediately clear if there were any foreigners among the casualties.

A witness had earlier said that at least two rockets fired by the militants hit the hotel compound.

Purported Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told the media by telephone that the militant group was responsible for the attack.

Last week, US President Barack Obama announced a plan to withdraw some 10,000 American troops from Afghanistan this year and an additional 23,000 by the end of September 2012.

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