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Dozens killed in Pakistan attack Dozens killed in Pakistan attack
(40 minutes later)
A massive bomb attack has hit the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, killing at least 40 people. A massive bomb blast has hit the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, killing at least 40 people.
The BBC's Barbara Plett, who is at the scene, says the blast created a 20ft (6m) deep crater, and destroyed the entire front section of the hotel. The hotel's owner said the explosion occurred when a lorry, which was being checked by security staff and sniffer dogs blew up at the hotel's entrance.
She says heavy equipment has been brought in to clear the debris so that firefighters can reach the building, which is still engulfed in flames. The blast created a 20ft (6m) deep crater, and destroyed the entire front section of the hotel.
Police say they believe the blast was a suicide car bombing. Heavy equipment was brought in to clear debris so firefighters could reach the building, still burning hours later.
class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7627175.stm">In pictures: Islamabad blast The owner of the hotel told the BBC that the explosion occurred when a lorry, which was being checked by security staff and sniffer dogs at the hotel entrance, blew up. Police say they believe the blast was a suicide bombing.
The explosion is thought to have been caused by more than a tonne of explosives. Police are warning that the hotel could collapse. class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7627175.stm">In pictures: Islamabad blast The explosion is thought to have been caused by more than a tonne of explosives and police are warning that the hotel could collapse.
Pakistan has seen a lot of violence over the past year in its battle with Islamist militancy but Islamabad has never seen anything like this before, our correspondent says. The BBC's defence and security correspondent, Rob Watson, says that the attack bears the hallmarks of al-Qaeda, given the scale, target and what would appear to be the careful political timing involved.
He says the attack is without doubt the most serious in the Pakistani capital to date and will spark fears about the country's stability in the face of a growing Islamist insurgency.
Heavy securityHeavy security
A huge area of the 290-room hotel remains on fire hours after the explosion. A huge area of the 290-room hotel remained on fire hours after the explosion.
The BBC's Barbara Plett says the emergency services have been unable to reach the upper floors of the hotel, where more people are feared to be trapped. The BBC's Barbara Plett, at the scene, said the emergency services had been unable to reach the upper floors of the hotel, where more people were feared to be trapped.
At least 100 people have been injured in the attack, among them four British citizens as well as Saudi, German, Moroccan and Afghan nationals.
A hotel employee, Mohammad Sultan, said he was in the reception when something exploded, forcing him to the ground.A hotel employee, Mohammad Sultan, said he was in the reception when something exploded, forcing him to the ground.
"I don't understand what it was, but it was like the world is finished," he told the Associated Press news agency."I don't understand what it was, but it was like the world is finished," he told the Associated Press news agency.
There are reports that at least 200 people were in the hotel's restaurants at the time of the explosion, many breaking their Ramadan fast.There are reports that at least 200 people were in the hotel's restaurants at the time of the explosion, many breaking their Ramadan fast.
The Marriott is the most prestigious hotel in the capital, and is located near government buildings and diplomatic missions. The Marriott is the most prestigious hotel in the capital, and is popular with foreigners and the Pakistani elite.
It is popular with foreigners and the Pakistani elite. Security there is tight, with guests and vehicles subject to checks. The hotel is located near government buildings and diplomatic missions, so security is tight, with guests and vehicles subject to checks.
The Marriott has previously been the target of militants. Last year a suicide bomber killed himself and one other in an attack at the hotel.The Marriott has previously been the target of militants. Last year a suicide bomber killed himself and one other in an attack at the hotel.
InsurgencyInsurgency
In an interview with the BBC, Senator Enver Beg, from the Pakistan People's Party, appealed to the international community for help in the struggle against terrorism.In an interview with the BBC, Senator Enver Beg, from the Pakistan People's Party, appealed to the international community for help in the struggle against terrorism.
"Pakistan is a frontline country in the war on terror. We are, again, with suicide bombings which are taking place all over the country."Pakistan is a frontline country in the war on terror. We are, again, with suicide bombings which are taking place all over the country.
"Our economy is affected because of these terrorist activities. And I think the international community has to come out and help Pakistan to fight against this terrorism," he said."Our economy is affected because of these terrorist activities. And I think the international community has to come out and help Pakistan to fight against this terrorism," he said.
Pakistan has been a key ally of the US in its "war on terror"The White House condemned the attack and said it was "a reminder of the threat we all face".Pakistan has been a key ally of the US in its "war on terror"The White House condemned the attack and said it was "a reminder of the threat we all face".
The US would "stand with Pakistan's democratically elected government as they confront this challenge", the statement added.The US would "stand with Pakistan's democratically elected government as they confront this challenge", the statement added.
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband called the attack "disgraceful" and said it would reinforce Britain's resolve to fight violent extremism with Pakistan.UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband called the attack "disgraceful" and said it would reinforce Britain's resolve to fight violent extremism with Pakistan.
The bomb attack came just hours after Pakistan's newly installed President, Asif Ali Zardari, said he would not allow Pakistan's territory to be violated by terrorists or foreign powers fighting them.The bomb attack came just hours after Pakistan's newly installed President, Asif Ali Zardari, said he would not allow Pakistan's territory to be violated by terrorists or foreign powers fighting them.
In his first speech to MPs since he replaced Pervez Musharraf in August, he vowed instead to "root out terrorism and extremism wherever and whenever they may rear their ugly heads".In his first speech to MPs since he replaced Pervez Musharraf in August, he vowed instead to "root out terrorism and extremism wherever and whenever they may rear their ugly heads".
He was speaking in Islamabad, just several hundred metres to the east of the Marriott.He was speaking in Islamabad, just several hundred metres to the east of the Marriott.
Pakistan has been a key ally of the US in its "war on terror", but relations have become strained over tactics.Pakistan has been a key ally of the US in its "war on terror", but relations have become strained over tactics.
In recent months Pakistan has voiced growing disquiet over US raids targeting militants in its territory, launched from neighbouring Afghanistan.In recent months Pakistan has voiced growing disquiet over US raids targeting militants in its territory, launched from neighbouring Afghanistan.
Al-Qaeda and Taleban militants based in Pakistan's north-west tribal region have repeatedly carried out attacks across the border in Afghanistan.Al-Qaeda and Taleban militants based in Pakistan's north-west tribal region have repeatedly carried out attacks across the border in Afghanistan.
Militants have also carried out waves of attacks in Pakistan in recent years.Militants have also carried out waves of attacks in Pakistan in recent years.
Just over a year ago, Pakistani army commandos stormed Islamabad's Red Mosque - also known as Lal Masjid - which had been taken over by pro-Taleban clerics.Just over a year ago, Pakistani army commandos stormed Islamabad's Red Mosque - also known as Lal Masjid - which had been taken over by pro-Taleban clerics.
The operation brought an end to the bloody siege. But Islamist militants responded with a wave of suicide bombings around the country that killed around 1,000 people.The operation brought an end to the bloody siege. But Islamist militants responded with a wave of suicide bombings around the country that killed around 1,000 people.
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