Wishesh magazine february 2018 Wishesh magazine february 2018 | Page 75

included hotel staff and guests
as well as members of the
security forces who fought the
attackers”
Interior minister Najib Danesh
stated, “all five attacker were
killed” He also added further
that “the recent decision to
transfer security to a private
company had been a mistake”
He added that the weapons
used by the attackers were
Kalashnikovs and hand
grenades. He also stated that
the attackers were affiliated
to Pakistan-based Haqqani
network. This group is based
out of Pakistan’s tribal area of
Waziristan. They have been
involved in some high profile
terrorist attacks on foreigners in
Afghanistan. These Haqqani’s
are closely ties with Talibans
and Al Qaeda, and they aim
to bring in Talibani rule in
Afghanistan again.
Condemning the tragic attack,
US Secretary of State, Rex
Tillerson stated on Sunday,
“The United States stands with
the government and people
of Afghanistan,” he said. “We
remain firmly committed to
supporting Afghan efforts
to achieve peace, security,
and prosperity for their
country. Violence like what
we witnessed yesterday has
no place in Afghanistan or
anywhere else in the world.”
The US Dept. of State had
warned of a possible attack on
Kabul by extremists, a week
before.
US Ambassador John Bass
condemned the attack and
stated “Such violence has
no place here or anywhere
in the world, Afghanistan
deserves peace and
security -- not deliberate
and murderous attacks on
innocent civilians,”
Pakistan’s Ministry of
Foreign Affairs condemned
this attack and issued a
statement, “We reiterate
our strong condemnation
of terrorism in all its forms
and manifestations. In our
view, cooperation among
the states is important for
effectively combating and
eliminating the scourge of
terrorism,”
Chief Executive Abdulalh
Abdullah stated “I commend
the Afghan Forces for their
bravery and professional
action of rescuing over
100 civilians and killing
all terrorists in the insane
attack on Intercontinental
Hotel in Kabul. I condemn
the attack and condole with
the victim families.”
The gun men came in at
21:00 local time when the
people were having dinner.
They stormed and began
firing at the foreigners also
shouting, “Where are the
foreigners?”
stated, “They were wearing
very stylish clothes,” he said.
“They came to me and asked
for food. I served them the
food and they thanked me and
took their seats. Then they
took out their weapons and
started shooting the people.
There were dozens of dead
bodies lying around me.”
Several people were seen
using bedsheets and blankets
to get down from balcony of
the Hotel while the Afghan
Forces batted the 5 gunmen.
These Afghan Forces were
brought by Helicopters on the
roof of the Hotel at night. They
went on every floor for clearing
operation, stating there were 4
attackers. But Taliban released
a statement claiming the
responsibility and also stating
there were 5 Gunmen.
The security of the Hotel was
handed to a private party just
2 week ago and the Ministry is
now assuring to get in-depth
report on how the security was
breached.
Hotel Manager Ahmad
stated that the gunmen
entered through the
kitchen. Intercontinental is
a state owned Hotel which
hosts political gatherings,
conferences and weddings.
In June 2011 also 7 Talibani’s
attacked the same Hotel killing
11 people.
Haseeb, an eye witness
FEBRUARY 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET