Officials Condemn Insurgent Attack on Kabul Hotel

Compiled from International Security Assistance Force Joint Command News Releases

WASHINGTON, June 29, 2011 – Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai, the country’s Ministry of the Interior, and the International Security Assistance Force jointly condemned yesterday’s insurgent attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul, military officials reported.

ISAF also commended the rapid response by Afghan security forces that cleared the building and secured the situation, officials said.

“We join President Karzai in condemning this cowardly attack on Afghan civilians,” said Navy Rear Adm. Vic Beck, ISAF director of public affairs. “Even though insurgents have declared their intention to avoid civilian casualties, this attack put Afghan lives at risk and demonstrates their complete disregard for the Afghan people.”

Officials said Afghan police and security forces responded quickly and professionally to clear the area, demonstrating their ability to defeat the insurgents and protect Afghans in jeopardy. Initial Afghan reports indicate as many as 10 people were killed and eight wounded during the suicide attacks.

“This attack will do nothing to prevent the security transition process from moving forward,” Beck said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the dead and injured.”

In other Afghanistan news yesterday:

-- In Kunduz province, a combined Afghan and coalition force detained numerous suspected insurgents while searching for a Taliban organizer in the Archi district. The organizer supports a roadside bomb and suicide attack network within Archi, and is directly involved with securing weapons and ammunition, coordinating personnel movements and facilitating the collection of illegal taxes.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Taliban financier and one of his associates in the Sangin district of Helmand province. The financier provided funding for roadside bomb operations and direct attacks, targeting Afghan and coalition forces.

-- In the Zharay district of Kandahar province, a combined security force captured several suspected insurgents.

-- In the Sharan district of Paktika province, a combined Afghan and coalition force killed several insurgents. The force was engaged by insurgents with small-arms fire. After positively identifying the insurgent’s position, the force returned fire, killing several insurgents. Initial reports indicate no civilians were harmed during the operation.

-- A combined Afghan and coalition security force detained several suspected insurgents during a security operation in the Ghazni district of Ghazni province. The Afghan-led force was searching for a Haqqani network facilitator who procures weapons for future attacks in the province.

-- In Khost province, a combined Afghan and coalition force captured a Haqqani network facilitator and several suspected insurgents during a security operation in the Khost district. The facilitator provided supplies, weapons, suicide vests and roadside bombs from Pakistan to senior Haqqani leaders.

In June 27 Afghanistan operations:

-- Several insurgents were killed and one was wounded during a combined Afghan and coalition operation conducted in the Shah Wali Kot district of Kandahar province. The injured insurgent was treated at the scene by coalition medics before being taken to a medical facility for further treatment. The combined force confiscated a light machine gun and 400 7.62 mm rounds.

In June 26 Afghanistan operations:

-- A combined Afghan and coalition force discovered a weapons cache in the Kandahar district of Kandahar province. The cache consisted of one AK-47 rifle, two full AK-47 magazines, one 80 mm mortar round, 75 7.62 mm rounds, 64 pounds of explosives, ten pressure plates, one mine, one pistol, some homemade bomb-making materials, one set of binoculars and a radio. Eight insurgents were detained and the weapons were seized by security forces.