Back on June 22., 2012 heavily armed Taliban gunmen stormed a lakeside hotel near Kabul, sending terrified guests jumping from windows or into a lake to try to escape the onslaught. Eighteen people were killed in the 12-hour rampage, their bullet-riddled bodies strewn on carpets, on the lawn and a blood-smeared patio.
The attack, which ended at midday Friday, was a gruesome reminder of the Taliban’s determination to scare the Afghan people and undermine efforts to stabilize the nation as U.S.-led forces prepare to withdraw by the end of 2014.
The insurgents arrived shortly before midnight at the Spozhmai hotel, situated in a wooded area on the banks of the turquoise-colored Qargha Lake, where Afghan families often go to relax and forget about the war.
The gunmen — toting machine-guns, rocket-propelled grenades and vests laden with explosives — first killed the hotel’s security guards, then pushed their way inside and began firing at guests who were having late-night meals. Gunfire rang out for hours and black smoke rose from the two-story hotel as NATO helicopters circled overhead.
Set 1.
1. Smoke rises from the resort hotel.
2. NATO Blackhawk helicopters in the air over the resort.
3. Two NATO Blackhawk helicopters fly in low before unleashing several missiles into the resort.
4. These Afghans took refuge in the water or by clinging to the outer fence of the resort to escape the shooting.
The attack, which ended at midday Friday, was a gruesome reminder of the Taliban’s determination to scare the Afghan people and undermine efforts to stabilize the nation as U.S.-led forces prepare to withdraw by the end of 2014.
The insurgents arrived shortly before midnight at the Spozhmai hotel, situated in a wooded area on the banks of the turquoise-colored Qargha Lake, where Afghan families often go to relax and forget about the war.
The gunmen — toting machine-guns, rocket-propelled grenades and vests laden with explosives — first killed the hotel’s security guards, then pushed their way inside and began firing at guests who were having late-night meals. Gunfire rang out for hours and black smoke rose from the two-story hotel as NATO helicopters circled overhead.
Set 1.
1. Smoke rises from the resort hotel.
2. NATO Blackhawk helicopters in the air over the resort.
3. Two NATO Blackhawk helicopters fly in low before unleashing several missiles into the resort.
4. These Afghans took refuge in the water or by clinging to the outer fence of the resort to escape the shooting.