At least 19 Afghans were killed in a 12-hour gun battle when Taliban insurgents launched an assault Thursday on a hotel on the outskirts of Kabul, an official said Friday, dpa reported.
"The dead are 15 civilians, three hotel guards and one policeman," Kabul police chief General Ayoub Salangi said.
"There were 350-450 people were in the hotel, and police rescued them," Salangi told dpa, adding seven insurgents had attacked the Spozhmai hotel, that all had been shot dead.
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