Suicide Attack on Kabul Serena Hotel on January 14, 2008
Suicide Attack on Kabul Serena Hotel on January 14, 2008.
Details
On January 14, 2008 at 1812 hours, a suicide attack took place at the Hotel Kabul Serena when the Norwegian Embassy was holding a meeting. In the meeting, Norway&39;s Foreign Minster - Jonas Gahr Stoere was also present along with journalists. As per available information, militants mounted an attack wearing suicide vests and armed with grenades and AK-47 rifles. They breached the heavily guarded main gate security by lobbing grenades and two suicide bombers detonated inside the premises. Other militants entered the hotel lobby firing indiscriminately and also entered the hotel gym and spa area where foreigners relax and work out. In the composite attack, at least six persons were killed and many others injured in a most daring and coordinated assault rarely seen in the Afghan capital. Among the dead were four hotel employees, including guards, one Norwegian journalist and an US citizen. According to Taliban spokesman, one of the attackers was shot dead while the other was killed in the suicide explosion.
2. The Hotel Kabul Serena, a newly built 177-room hotel is frequently used by foreign embassies for meetings, conferences and other functions. More than 30 U.S. soldiers in a half dozen Humvee rushed to the hotel as part of a Quick Reaction Force. In addition, security personnel from the U.S. Embassy ran through the hotel looking for American citizens caught in the attack. Indian nationals staying at the hotel, including few Indians working there were not hurt and are reported safe.
3. In view of scaling up of suicide attacks and militants activities of all kinds in Kabul city since December 2007, all Indian nationals in Kabul and Afghanistan are advised to remain extra vigilant at all times for their own safety and security. Further, lessons drawn from the present composite attack indicate a change in tactics hitherto adopted for targeting the members of the International community. The present emphasis seems to be on high value targets to gain maximum media mileage. It is reiterated that movements within the city may be curtailed to necessary minimum and a safe distance must be maintained from Afghan Military and Police/NATO/CF convoys/buses as they continue to remain primary targets of militants. To ensure your safety and security a fixed pattern of movement in the city may also be avoided. Indians are also requested to keep themselves aware about the security scenario in Afghanistan through local visual/print media as well as through interaction with their fellow colleagues in various organizations to keep themselves abreast of developments.
4. You are also requested to circulate this E-mail widely to other Indians working in Afghanistan with a request to register themselves with the Embassy for updating our databank.
(Pranab Nanda)
Counsellor (PA)
All Indians in Afghanistan (Through Email)
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mea.gov.in