Afghanistan security end Taliban hotel party siege

Afghan security forces have ended a siege by Taliban members holding party-guests hostage at a hotel near Kabul.

There are few details yet about the successful operation.

Gunmen burst into the private party around midnight on Thursday. Scores of people were held for 12 hours and at least 13 people were killed, according to Afghan police. Five of the dead were militants, said the police source, while three guards, one policemen and four civilians were also killed. Many guests jumped into a lake in an effort to escape.

The exclusive Spozhmai hotel near Qargha Lake is a popular venue, and the Taliban say it is being used for “wild parties” in the lead up to the Islamic religious day of Friday.

NATO helicopters supported the operation carried out by the Afghan security forces, and freed thirty-five hostages were freed early on.

This high-profile Taliban attack comes as NATO prepares to completely withdraw its troops by the end of 2014.

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