NATO helicopters end Kabul hotel siege, 7 dead

Taliban fighters armed with explosive vests, anti-aircraft weapons and grenade launchers raided an international hotel in Kabul on Tuesday and killed seven people on the eve of a conference to discuss plans for Afghan forces to take over security when international troops leave by the end of 2014.

Interior Ministry spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said guards at the Inter-Continental hotel killed two insurgents during the assault, which began about 10:30 pm Tuesday and ended about 3 am Wednesday. Four other insurgents either blew themselves up or were killed on the roof of the hotel by NATO helicopter airstrikes. (AP)