Afghanistan capital Kabul hit by suicide attack
- Duration: 1:05
- Published: 2010-02-26
- Uploaded: 2010-12-21
- Author: timesofearth
www.timesofearth.com KABUL - At least 17 people were killed and 32 wounded when several suicide bombers attacked a hotel popular with foreigners and the surrounding area in the centre of Kabul, the Afghan capital. The target of the Friday morning attacks remains unclear. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack. Four Indian nationals were among the dead. The nationalities of the other victims were not known. The first blast occurred at about 06:45 local time, near the Kabul City Centre, Kabul's largest shopping centre located in the city's main commercial district, that includes the Safi Landmark Hotel. That was followed about 10-20 minutes later by fierce gunfire and two smaller explosions. A building was on fire in front of the four-star hotel, which is close to most government and United Nations offices. Police say at least two police officers were among those killed in the blasts. The Reuters news agency quoted Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman, as saying "holy warriors" had "managed to attack in the heart of Kabul city once again." The spokesman said at least five Taliban fighters launched the attack, including two suicide bombers who detonated explosives-packed vests near the hotel and a shopping mall, Reuters reported. Najibullah, a 25-year-old hotel worker, said he ran out of the hotel when he heard the first explosion. He said he saw two suicide bombers on the site. "I saw foreigners were crying and shouting," he said. "It was a very bad <b>...</b>