Hotel Attack Leaves 18 Killed

Eighteen people are dead following an attack at a hotel in Afghanistan.

Gunmen stormed the Intercontinental Hotel.

The Taliban claimed responsibility for the the attack.

Security forces had been trapped for 13 hours and unable to rescue anyone.

Fourteen foreigners and four Afghan civilians were among those killed.

The Intercontinental hotel is a five stars hotel located in the Karte Parwan neighbourhood in western Kabul.

It served as the nation's first international luxury hotel, one of the most visited by foreigners since its opening in 1969, built nearby the Bagh-e Bala Palace.

The hotel has 200 rooms and is equipped with a swimming pool, a gym, and about four restaurants for dine in or room service.