3 suicide bombers attack hotel north of Kabul; militants take hostages, fight police

KABUL – Afghan police say Taliban suicide bombers attacked a lakeside hotel north of Kabul, and that militants armed with machine-guns and rocket-propelled grenades have taken hostages and are continuing to fight Afghan security forces there.

Kabul police criminal director Mohammad Zahir says three suicide bombers attacked the hotel at Qargha Lake around 11 p.m. Thursday night. Zahir says the Taliban have taken hostages. There were civilian casualties but details were not immediately available. The fighting was still under way early Friday morning. Kabul police chief Mohammad Ayub Salangi says at least one policeman has been killed.

Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid says they attacked the hotel because foreigners were there drinking and participating in other activities banned by Islam.