Taliban Gunmen Take Hostages

An unknown number of gunmen are holding several people hostage—including women and children, it is reported—at a lakeside hotel outside of Kabul. The gunmen attacked the popular hotel on the outskirts of the Afghan capital, triggering a five-hour gun battle, police said. Two gunmen reportedly were killed as 18 civilians were freed, police said. Some of the gunmen were said to have rocket-propelled grenades and heavy machine guns near Qargha Lake recreation area. An unknown number of civilians reportedly had already been killed. Some escapees reportedly jumped in the lake to flee the attack. Police said the second floor of the hotel was cleared, but that more hostages could be in other parts of the hotel.