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Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing

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Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing
Location of Islamabad within Pakistan
LocationIslamabad, Pakistan
Coordinates33°43′57″N 73°05′13″E / 33.732602°N 73.087063°E / 33.732602; 73.087063
Date20 September 2008
19:56[1] (PDT)
Attack type
Suicide bombing
Deaths60+[2][3]
Injured200+ [3]

The Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing occurred on 20 September 2008, when a truck detonated in front of the Marriott Hotel in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, killing more than 45, injuring at least 257, and leaving a 30 ft crater outside the hotel. The majority of the casualties are believed to be Pakistanis; although about fifteen foreigners have also been reported injured. About two-thirds of the building caught fire as a result of the explosion, and the reception area was completely destroyed.[2][6][7][8][4] The attack occurred mere hours after President Asif Ali Zardari made his first speech to parliament.[9]

The hotel was a popular locale with foreigners visiting Pakistan, hence making it a target of terrorism. In 2007 a suicide bomber killed himself and another visitor in an attack at the hotel.[6]

Attack

The blast caused a natural gas leak that set the top floor of the five-story, 258-room hotel on fire, police said. The blaze quickly engulfed the entire structure.[8]

The owner of the hotel, Hashoo Group,[10] owned by Sadruddin Hashwani[11], said the truck carrying the bomb had been stopped at the front barrier and guards on the gate exchanged fire with the attacker before the bomb-sniffing dog alerted. "Some shots were fired. One of our guards fired back, and in the meantime he detonated all the explosives. All the guards on the gate died," said hotel owner Sadruddin Hashwani.[12]

After the attack, vans were temporarily banned from entering the capital territory.[citation needed]

An American intelligence official stated that the attack “bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist operation carried out by Al Qaeda or its associates.”[4][13]

Many government leaders were only several hundred yards from the explosion, dining at the Prime Minister's house following a parliamentary address by President Asif Ali Zardari. Both Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani condemned the attack and vowed their determination to deal with terrorism.[14]

In addition, six Germans, four Britons and one Danish diplomat were injured. [15] At least one American was also killed. The Czech ambassador to Pakistan, who was staying at the hotel, has been missing since the blast.[8]

American Presence

About 30 American marines were present there.[16]There are reports that U.S marines have stored some steel boxes on 4th and 5th floor.They have stored that material bypassing the usual security procedures.This was Witnessed by PPP MNA Mumtaz Alam Gilani and his two friends, Sajjad Chaudhry, a PPP leader,and many others.PPP MNA strongly criticised the hotel's security on friday(when these Marines moved in),it is also of note that his brother just escaped death in this bombing.[17]The 4th floor was most severely damaged.The fire started on 4th floor but the truck bombing took place at the ground floor.[18]American are denying that any diplomats was present[19] but latest reports indicate otherwise.[citation needed]

Consequences

President Asif Ali Zardari is considering delaying his visit to the US to attend the UN General Assembly session in the wake the bombing. MP Ayaz Amir said that he felt that the president should cancel his visit given the circumstances, and instead should combat terrorism and extremism. He added, "I believe that the UN General Assembly annual session is the most useless event in the world where leaders go to listen their own speeches."[20]

International reactions

Country Response
 Canada Canada condemned the bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad which killed at least 60 people and offered its support for the Pakistani government. Canada "condemns the bomb attack ... and the appalling loss of life and injuries it has caused to so many innocent people," read a statement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. "The use of violence and terror against innocent civilians must never be tolerated and we condemn those who have perpetrated this terrible act," read the statement.

It added that Canada "continues to stand beside the government and people of Pakistan in their fight against extremism and terror." Harper said there were no known Canadian casualties, but that authorities are monitoring the situation. "The government and people of Canada extend their deepest sympathies to the families of the dead and injured," the statement read.

 Denmark The Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller says that he understands Pakistanis who compare this attack with the September 11 attacks. He stated that "The terrorists want to install a fanatical Islamic regime. However, Pakistan has nuclear arms and therefore this must not happen".[21]
 United Kingdom British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said that "This latest bombing attack in Islamabad is yet another shocking and disgraceful attack without justification."[4]
 United States 15 FBI agents have been offered to help in the investigation into the bombing; deployment pending approval of the Pakistani government.[7] United States National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said that the country "strongly condemns the terrorist attack[...] [and we] will stand with Pakistan's democratically elected government as they confront this challenge."[4] In the same vein, President George W. Bush said "This attack is a reminder of the ongoing threat faced by Pakistan, the United States, and all those who stand against violent extremism," and that this attack "is part of a continuing assault on the people of Pakistan." Adding that he promised to "assist Pakistan in confronting this threat and bringing the perpetrators to justice," as well as to support the people of Pakistan "as they face enormous challenges economically as well as from terrorism." The two major presidential candidates also gave statements: Republican John McCain pointed to "violent Islamic extremism" and Democrat Barack Obama said the attack "demonstrates the grave and urgent threat that al-Qaida and its affiliates pose to the United States, to Pakistan, and to the security of all nations."[22]
 Norway In a press release the Norwegian Foreign Ministry states: "The government has expressed our empathy towards Pakistani authorities over the loss of so many human lives, and we have asked that this be relayed to the bereaved." The Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre states: "The government condemns the terror attack outside the Marriott Hotel today. There is no excuse for killing innocent civilians and I can do nothing except express my disgust towards those who are behind this act. This is a difficult situation for Pakistan. It is now important to add support to the democratic developments which have been taking place recently."[21].
 European Union President of the European Council and French President Nicolas Sarkozy said that the European Union will "more than ever stand side by side" with Pakistan's fight against terrorism.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ http://bihartimes.com/NewsAll/2008/Sep/NewsAll21Sep14.html 60 killed in Islamabad suicide attack
  2. ^ a b Agence France-Presse (2008-09-20). "US national among 60 dead in Pakistan blast: officials". Breitbart.com. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  3. ^ a b "Bomb rocks Islamabad hotel, at least 60 dead". Times of India. September 20, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Deutsche Presse-Agentur (2008-09-20). "EU Condemns Bombing of Luxury Hotel in Pakistan". Deustche Welle. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  5. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/world/asia/21islamabad.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin Bombing at Hotel in Pakistan Kills at Least 40
  6. ^ a b "Dozens killed in Pakistan attack". bbc.co.uk. 2008-09-20. Retrieved 2008-09-20. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  7. ^ a b "At Least 40 Killed in Huge Explosion at Pakistan Hotel". Reuters/The New York Times. 2008-09-20. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  8. ^ a b c "Deadly blast targets Marriott Hotel in Islamabad". CNN. 2008-09-20. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  9. ^ Rupert, James (2008-09-20). "Islamabad Marriott Hotel Blast Leaves 40 People Dead". Bloomberg. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "Hashoo group opens PC hotel in Muzaffarabad". Pakistan Tribune. June 30, 2007. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
  11. ^ "INTERVIEW: Sadruddin Hashwani Chairman of Hashoo Group". New York Times. September 21, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
  12. ^ Haider, Kamran (September 20, 2008). "Truck bomber kills at least 43 at Islamabad hotel". Reuters. p. 4. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
  13. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/world/asia/21islamabad.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin Bombing at Hotel in Pakistan Kills at Least 40
  14. ^ Gall, Carlotta (2008-09-20). "At Least 40 Are Killed in Blast at Pakistan Hotel". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-09-20.
  15. ^ "Truck bomber kills at least 45 at Islamabad hotel". Reuters. 2008-09-21. Retrieved 2008-09-21.
  16. ^ AAJ tv report about American Marines
  17. ^ [1]
  18. ^ [2]
  19. ^ [3]
  20. ^ http://www.sindhtoday.net/south-asia/22270.htm
  21. ^ a b Trondsen, Flemming; Skjævesland, Odd Inge (2008-09-20). "Minst 60 drept og 200 skadet". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). Retrieved 2008-09-20.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  22. ^ http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1221745576245&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull
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