KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) – The Taliban have claimed a late night attack on a Kabul guesthouse that killed five people, including an American, and wounded at least six.
Gunmen had stormed the restaurant of the Park Palace Hotel in the Afghan capital as it was hosting a party for foreigners, and authorities said the five were killed during an hours-long siege that ended early Thursday morning. Six people were wounded and 54 hostages rescued.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in an email distributed to media said the group targeted the hotel because of the presence of foreigners, including Americans there.
In the claim, he says only one attacker was involved, armed with a Kalashnikov rifle, a suicide vest and a pistol – not three as the Afghan government reported.
The Taliban often exaggerate their claims.