Taliban claim attack on Kabul guesthouse

The Taliban on Thursday claimed responsibility for an attack on a Kabul guesthouse that killed five people, including an American, and wounded at least six in one of the most audacious assaults by the insurgents in the Afghan capital since the start of their spring offensive.

Gunmen stormed the restaurant of the Park Palace Hotel in the Afghan capital as it was hosting a party for foreigners on Wednesday evening, and authorities said the five were killed during an hours-long siege that ended early Thursday morning, ABC news reported.

Six people were wounded and 54 hostages rescued.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid in an email distributed to media said the group had targeted the hotel because of the presence of foreigners, including Americans there.