Armed Taliban militants performed a major attack on a popular lakefront resort on Lake Qargha near Kabul. The attack happened just before midnight. The Taliban militants shot several guards and took over 250-300 hostages and held them at gunpoint and armed with explosives.[1] A wedding party of some 300 guests hid in the lake for several hours until the situation was dealt with by a combined force of ANA and ISAF troops as well as air support. Some 12 hours later the death toll stood at 21, including 17 civilians inside the resort hotel in addition to a policeman and several security guards.[2] Norwegian soldiers from the Forsvarets Spesialkommando mentoring ANA was heavily involved in dealing with the situation and rescue of guests.[3][4][5]
| Hostage incident at Lake Qargha | |
|---|---|
| Location | Lake Qargha, Kabul, Afghanistan |
| Date | 21–22 June 2012 |
Attack type | terrorist attack / hostage-taking |
| Weapons | Heavily armed with firearms grenades and explosives |
| Deaths | 21 |
| Injured | na |
| Perpetrators | 7 Taliban militants |
| Motive | See info in article |
The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, claiming that they attacked the restaurant to frame foreigners and "indecent behavior" such as drinking alcohol.[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ Peter, Tom (22 June 2012). "Taliban attack on Kabul lakeside resort leaves at least two dozen dead". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ "Hostages freed in deadly Kabul hotel siege". France 24. 22 June 2012. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ Farmer, Ben (22 June 2012). "Afghan troops end 12-hour siege after Taliban militants launch suicide attack on popular restaurant". Telegraph.co.uk.
- ^ "Her stormer norske spesialstyrker gissel-restauranten" (in Norwegian). 22 June 2012.
- ^ Partlow, Joshua (22 June 2012). "Taliban insurgents attack popular Kabul resort; at least 20 killed". Washington Post.