KABUL
Saturday’s deadly Terror attack on the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel has drawn strong condemnation at home and internationally.
President Ashraf Ghani, Chief Executive Officer Abdullah, National Security Advisor Mohammad Hanif Atmar, Afghanistan Ambassador in Pakistan and other government officials denounced the attack in strongest terms.
The United Kingdom (UK), Germany, Turkey, India and other countries condemned the Taliban attack on the Kabul Intercontinental Hotel.
The attack began at around 9:00pm on Saturday evening when heavily armed gunmen attacked the luxurious hotel, indiscriminately shooting guests and other civilians inside the state-run five star hotel.
Security forces rushed to the scene, engaging the attackers for almost 16 hours before hoisting a flag to declare ‘all clear’ Sunday afternoon and killed all the attackers.
A statement from the MoI said the Special Police Force Unit promptly reached the location after the attack and launched a clearing operation.
Security forces rescued 160 guests, including 41 foreign citizens, from inside the hotel.
But at least five civilians, including one foreigner, was killed and six others, including four policemen, were injured during the rescue operation.
The US Embassy in Kabul strongly condemned the attack. Ambassador John Bass said such violence “has no place here or anywhere in the world.”
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the victims. I also commend the bravery and quick response of the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. The US Embassy is in close contact with Afghan authorities, who are continuing to investigate the incident,” he said.
“Afghanistan deserves peace and security – not deliberate and murderous attacks on innocent civilians. My government and the people of the United States stand with the Afghan government and people in fighting terrorism and working to bring peace and security to Afghanistan,” the US envoy added.
Meanwhile, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemned the Taliban-claimed attack at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul that killed at least six civilians, including one woman, and injured at least three others.
The Intercontinental Hotel was scheduled to hold a technology conference on the day organized by Afghanistan’s Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Technology. Also at the hotel, guests had gathered for a wedding ceremony.
“There is simply no justification for this egregious attack, which is specifically prohibited by International Humanitarian Law and may amount to a war crime,” said Tadamichi Yamamoto, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan.
“It is a moral outrage that the Taliban entered the hotel with the intention of killing civilians,” said the UN envoy, who is also head of UNAMA. “All parties to the armed conflict in Afghanistan are bound to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law, at all times.”
On behalf of the United Nations in Afghanistan, Yamamoto expressed his condolences to the loved ones of those killed in the attack and wished a full and speedy recovery to those injured.
Pakistan also strongly condemned the brutal terrorist attack at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Kabul last evening.
In a statement, the Pakistan Foreign Office said: “We express deep grief and sorrow at the loss of precious human lives and the injuring of many others in this terrorist act.”
“The Government and the people of Pakistan convey solidarity and support with the Government and people of Afghanistan at this dastardly terrorist attack.
“We convey our deepest sympathies for those who have lost their loved ones and our sincere prayers and wishes are for early recovery of those who have sustained injuries in this heinous terror attack.” (Pajhwok)