4 Indians among 14 dead in Taliban attack on Kabul guesthouse

Kabul, May 14: Four Indians and an American were among 14 people killed in a Taliban attack on a guesthouse here, with a top Afghan official saying the Indian Ambassador could have been the target of the militants who stormed the complex popular among expats.

The four Indians killed included two private auditors and an NGO worker who were at the Park Palace Guesthouse, located in the Kolola Pushta area of the Kabul city, when the Taliban militants stormed the building at about 0900 PM last night.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's special envoy for good governance Ahmad Zia Massoud was quoted by Khaama Press as saying said the militants attacked the guesthouse thinking Indian Ambassador Amar Sinha was present in the compound.

However, he did not elaborate further. When asked whether he was scheduled to go there, Sinha told PTI "I was invited for an event at the guesthouse which is full of expats but I had not confirmed my attendance."

Confirming that four Indians were among the victims, Sinha said he has been informed by the Afghan authorities that the total number of casualties was 14 and the nationality of others was being ascertained.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently on a visit to China, spoke to President Ghani. "Spoke to President Ashraf Ghani and offered condolences on loss of lives due to the Kabul attack. We are one when it comes to fighting terror," Modi, who arrived in Xi'an this morning on a three-day visit to China, tweeted.

"President Ashraf Ghani expressed sadness on the unfortunate demise of Indian citizens in the attack in Kabul," the Prime Minister said. Three gunmen stormed the guesthouse and started firing. Afghan National Security Forces including Special Forces rushed to the spot and began striking back.

All the attackers were killed in the siege that lasted for about seven hours, ending in the wee hours of this morning. The Taliban has claimed the responsibility for the attack on the guesthouse which was about to host a musical concert.

"The attack was planned carefully to target the party in which important people and Americans were attending," the militants said in a statement. When the attack took place, the musical event was due to begin and was to be attended by the Turkish and Indian guests as well Afghan nationals, an Afghan Security official was quoted as saying.

Kabul police chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi said security forces rescued 54 people from inside the guesthouse. "Unfortunately a few Indian casualties among others at the Kabul g/house attack today," Indian Ambassador Sinha had earlier tweeted. United States Embassy in Kabul confirmed the death of one of American national in the attack.

PTI