Posted by Damozel | The bomb, apparently detonated in a truck, left a six foot crater. (BBC 9-21 News) It killed 54 people. (BBC 9-21 News) At least 270 people were injured. (BBC 9-21 News) The BBC has pictures here and eyewitness reports here. The attack occurred only hours after President Zadari had given his first speech to Pakistani MPs. (BBC 9-20) It was the most serious attack ever in Islamabad. (BBC 9-20)
The bomb resulted in serious carnage.
Witnesses described a scene of horror as blood-covered bodies were pulled from the wreckage and guests and staff ran for cover from shattered glass.
The police say they suspect it was a suicide attack.
There has been no claim of responsibility so far, but the BBC's Shoaib Hasan, in Islamabad, says the key suspects are the Pakistan Taleban who operate in the north-west of the country.(BBC 9-21 News )
American intelligence officials have weighed in on this. The Islamabad Marriott has been attacked a couple of times in the past.(NYT)
An American intelligence official said the attack “bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist operation carried out by Al Qaeda or its associates.”...
A senior police official, Ashfaq Ahmed Khan, said initial reports suggested that an explosives-laden dump truck had been detonated near the entrance.
“The Marriott is an icon,” said Abdullah Riar, a former aide to Mrs. Bhutto. “It’s like the twin towers of Pakistan. It’s a symbolic place in the capital of the country, and now it has melted down.” (NYT)
Says the New York Times: "Coming after a bombing this year at another gathering spot for foreigners, the Serena Hotel in Kabul, Afghanistan, the Marriott attack seemed intended to send a message to Washington and other allies of Pakistan."
Pakistan's president has pledged to fight "the cancer of terrorism" and President Bush has pledged assistance. .(BBC 9-21 News ) President Bush said:
President Bush denounced the attack on Saturday. “I strongly condemn the terrorist bombing in Islamabad that targeted and killed many innocents,” he said. (NYT)
President Asif Ali Zadari said:
"Terrorism is a cancer in Pakistan, we are determined, God willing, we will rid the country of this cancer," he said.
"I promise you that such actions by these cowards will not lower our resolve."(BBC 9-21 News; see footage here)
Rehman Malik, Pakistan's chief adviser on internal security said that the government would fight "until "the last terrorist is cleared....We think that the safe Pakistan, safe Afghanistan is safety for the world and therefore we will not let them have easy way."(BBC 9-21 News )
That may well be true. But what will they do in response? That's the question.
Despite the tough talk by the president and prime minister, it was unclear what kind of response the government would mount. Pakistan has been in a state of political turmoil for months, and from the American perspective at least, the new civilian government has so far shown little interest in pursuing a campaign against the militants...(NYT 9-20).
The Bush administration has been critical of Pakistan for not taking a more active role in curbing the Taliban and Al Qaeda, which cross Afghanistan to attack American forces. Hence, the recent incursions across the border.
According to senior American officials, President Bush secretly approved orders in July that for the first time allow American Special Operations forces to carry out ground assaults inside Pakistan without the prior approval of the Pakistani government. (NYT 9-16)
A day or two before the blast, BBC guest writer Ahmed Rashid called the situation in Pakistan "Pakistan's bleakest moment." (BBC 9-18 News).
Internationally isolated and condemned by the world community due to its Afghan policy, Pakistan's tribal territories have become a free-for-all firing range for US troops even as the domestic threat from the Pakistani Taleban multiplies.
Pakistanis also face runaway inflation of over 25% and an economy in virtual meltdown as foreign exchange reserves dwindle and industry grinds to a halt.
There is a lack of electricity, an unresolved judicial crisis and ultimately an uncertain political future with the army still waiting in the wings.(BBC 9-18 News).
According to Rashid, the blame for all this is primarily attributable to former President Musharraf, whom Rashid says has "played a double game not only with the Americans but also with their own people."(BBC 9-18 News). Among much else, he said:
The Afghan Taleban - which still has a safe haven in Pakistan - no longer listens to its military mentors.
The Pakistani Taleban are out of control. Once serving as the protectors and facilitators for al-Qaeda and the Afghan Taleban, the Pakistani Taleban have now developed their own political agenda - turning northern Pakistan into what they call a Sharia (Islamic law) state.(BBC 9-18 News).
In the meantime, Pakistanis have been upset by American incursions across the Afghan border. (NYT 9-16) Earlier last week, the Joint Chiefs of Chaff travelled to Pakistan for a sit-down with the Pakistani government.
The American Embassy in Islamabad requested that Admiral Mullen personally brief Pakistan’s civil and military leadership on the American military’s activities along the border, the official said. Admiral Mullen was due to meet Wednesday with Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and Pakistan’s military chief, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani... (NYT 9-16)
On Tuesday, a Pakistani governor said that American forces tried to cross the border and that the Pakistani Army drove them off. (NYT 9-16)
He said that only Pakistan had “a right to conduct operations on its soil. It will jealously guard its right and will not tolerate” incursions. (NYT 9-16)
The US and Pakistani military deny that this particular incident occurred. (NYT 9-16)
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