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Militants claim Marriott attack Militants claim Marriott attack
(10 minutes later)
A little known Pakistani militant group, Fidayeen-e-Islam, says it carried out Saturday's devastating attack on the Islamabad Marriott hotel.A little known Pakistani militant group, Fidayeen-e-Islam, says it carried out Saturday's devastating attack on the Islamabad Marriott hotel.
The group told the BBC the aim of the attack was to stop American interference in Pakistan.The group told the BBC the aim of the attack was to stop American interference in Pakistan.
The group is based in Pakistan's tribal areas and connected to leading militant Baitullah Mehsud.The group is based in Pakistan's tribal areas and connected to leading militant Baitullah Mehsud.
The suicide bomb devastated the hotel, killing at least 53 people and injuring more than 266.The suicide bomb devastated the hotel, killing at least 53 people and injuring more than 266.
'Muslim interests''Muslim interests'
The BBC Urdu service in Islamabad received a call from the Fidayeen-e-Islam group which gave instructions to call another number. That number played out a recorded message in English.The BBC Urdu service in Islamabad received a call from the Fidayeen-e-Islam group which gave instructions to call another number. That number played out a recorded message in English.
It said the aim of the Marriott attack was to kick "American crusaders" out of Pakistan and stop them interfering in the government, the military, the media, as well as security, religious and other institutions in Pakistan.It said the aim of the Marriott attack was to kick "American crusaders" out of Pakistan and stop them interfering in the government, the military, the media, as well as security, religious and other institutions in Pakistan.
It also said that some 250 US marines had been killed in the attack, together with many officials from Nato and other countries involved in attacks on Muslim interests in Pakistan and Afghanistan.It also said that some 250 US marines had been killed in the attack, together with many officials from Nato and other countries involved in attacks on Muslim interests in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
However, almost all of the dead were Pakistanis. The Czech ambassador to Pakistan, one Vietnamese, a German and an American were among the dead, with an American and a Danish intelligence officer missing, presumed dead.
The purpose of this attack is to kick American crusaders out of Pakistan Fidayeen-e-Islam 'We are all in pain and agony'Pakistan troops 'repel US raid'The purpose of this attack is to kick American crusaders out of Pakistan Fidayeen-e-Islam 'We are all in pain and agony'Pakistan troops 'repel US raid'
However, almost all of the dead were Pakistanis. The Czech ambassador to Pakistan, one Vietnamese, a German and an American were among the dead, with an American and a Danish intelligence officer missing, presumed dead.
The Fidayeen-e-Islam group are reported to operate out of the tribal region of Waziristan along the Afghan border.
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says they are said to have close links to the Tehrik-e Taleban Pakistan, a loose alliance of militants led by Baitullah Mehsud, who the previous government blamed for the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
Our correspondent says the Fidayeen-e-Islam is believed to be composed largely of former members of the militant group, Jaish-e-Mohammad which is banned in Pakistan and was involved in several high profile incidents in Pakistan.
These include the murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl and an attack that nearly killed President Pervez Musharraf in December 2003.
In other developments, it was reported that Pakistani troops fired on US helicopters that violated Pakistani airspace near the border with Afghanistan on Sunday night.In other developments, it was reported that Pakistani troops fired on US helicopters that violated Pakistani airspace near the border with Afghanistan on Sunday night.
Tensions between the US and Pakistan have risen in recent weeks amid US accusations that Pakistan is not doing enough to combat Taleban militants in the region.Tensions between the US and Pakistan have risen in recent weeks amid US accusations that Pakistan is not doing enough to combat Taleban militants in the region.
And in Peshawar, capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, an Afghan diplomat was kidnapped and his driver killed, reports said.And in Peshawar, capital of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province, an Afghan diplomat was kidnapped and his driver killed, reports said.
Taleban suspectsTaleban suspects
The heavily guarded Islamabad Marriott was attacked at about 2000 (1500 GMT) on Saturday.The heavily guarded Islamabad Marriott was attacked at about 2000 (1500 GMT) on Saturday.
CCTV footage of the moments before the blast show a six-wheeler lorry ramming the security barrier at the hotel gate.CCTV footage of the moments before the blast show a six-wheeler lorry ramming the security barrier at the hotel gate.
The bomb - believed to have been detonated in the lorry - left a six-metre (20ft) crater.The bomb - believed to have been detonated in the lorry - left a six-metre (20ft) crater.
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Aerial footage of the damage caused by the bombAerial footage of the damage caused by the bomb
Residents of Islamabad have told the BBC there is now a climate of fear in the city with people too scared to go out.Residents of Islamabad have told the BBC there is now a climate of fear in the city with people too scared to go out.
The blast has prompted British Airways to cancel some flights to Pakistan "in light of the security situation".The blast has prompted British Airways to cancel some flights to Pakistan "in light of the security situation".
The Marriott was the most prestigious hotel in the capital, located near government buildings and diplomatic missions. It was popular with foreigners and the Pakistani elite.The Marriott was the most prestigious hotel in the capital, located near government buildings and diplomatic missions. It was popular with foreigners and the Pakistani elite.
Eyewitnesses: Pakistan blastIn pictures: Islamabad aftermathEyewitnesses: Pakistan blastIn pictures: Islamabad aftermath
The hotel has previously been the target of militants. Last year, a suicide bomber killed himself and one other in an attack at the hotel.The hotel has previously been the target of militants. Last year, a suicide bomber killed himself and one other in an attack at the hotel.
The BBC's Barbara Plett, in Islamabad, says the latest attack might have been retaliation for army bombardments of suspected Taleban targets with jet fighters.The BBC's Barbara Plett, in Islamabad, says the latest attack might have been retaliation for army bombardments of suspected Taleban targets with jet fighters.
Earlier on Monday, Pakistan's government said it would take targeted action against the militants, promising raids in some "hotspots" near the border with Afghanistan. The Pakistan government has said it will take targeted action against the militants, promising raids in some "hotspots" near the border with Afghanistan.
Away from Islamabad, troops reportedly forced US helicopters out of Pakistani airspace in the tribal area of North Waziristan.Away from Islamabad, troops reportedly forced US helicopters out of Pakistani airspace in the tribal area of North Waziristan.
Our correspondent says that following a series of US raids on Pakistani territory earlier this month the military said that it reserved the right to retaliate, with a series of warning shots the standard procedure.Our correspondent says that following a series of US raids on Pakistani territory earlier this month the military said that it reserved the right to retaliate, with a series of warning shots the standard procedure.
In Peshawar, Afghan consul Abdul Khaliq Farahi was in a car in a city suburb when it was attacked by six unidentified men, officials say. His driver died in the attack.In Peshawar, Afghan consul Abdul Khaliq Farahi was in a car in a city suburb when it was attacked by six unidentified men, officials say. His driver died in the attack.