KABUL (SW): The survivors of bloody assault on the Intercontinental Hotel have claimed the security firm employees were not checking people entering the hotel.
Five armed terrorists stormed the hotel late on Saturday, and killed 14 people including many foreigners. Unofficial figures suggest the death toll is as high as 43.
Two survivors of the attack, Syed Zakarya Hashimi and Naveed, told Salam Watandar that scanners were not working, and people were allowed entry to the hotel without search. He said the private firm security guards were just verbally asking visitors to surrender any weapons they might have.
According to eye witness, the attackers were searching each and every room, shooting and throwing hand-grenades during the attack. They claimed the death toll is higher than what is reported in the media.
The Ministry of Interior has only confirmed death of 18 people in this attack. Nusrat Rahimi, deputy spokesman for the Ministry of Interior (MoI), has said the operations of the private firm responsible for security at the Intercontinental Hotel have been suspended. He added the investigations into the incident are underway.
An audio clip is circulating in the social media in which the suspected attackers can be heard talking to their operatives on mobile phone in a southern accent. The attackers are receiving instructions to kill provincial officials staying in the hotel by breaking the door locks with hand grenades.
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