11 killed as hotel packed with foreigners is attacked

11 people have died after gun men attacked the Palace Park Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan which was packed full with foreigners.

The deceased include a United States citizen and 2 Indians, and the foreigners were reportedly awaiting a concert when the attack happened. 2 of the suspected gunmen were also reported to be among the dead.

The Taliban has since taken responsibility for the attack.

In a statement, the Islamist militant group said:

"The attack was planned carefully to target the party in which important people and Americans were attending,"

BBC reports that the attack lasted 5 hours after beginning early on Wednesday evening, and eventually ended after Afghan police took the building room by room.

Over 50 people who had been at a party in the garden of the hotel were rescued by security forces.