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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| 'Suicide blast' at Pakistan hotel | 'Suicide blast' at Pakistan hotel |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A suicide bomber has killed himself and one other at a top hotel in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, officials say. | A suicide bomber has killed himself and one other at a top hotel in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, officials say. |
| Police have sealed off the blast area in the car park of the Marriott hotel. | Police have sealed off the blast area in the car park of the Marriott hotel. |
| "It was a suicide attack. The bomber and one security official of the hotel were killed," Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao told Reuters news agency. | "It was a suicide attack. The bomber and one security official of the hotel were killed," Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao told Reuters news agency. |
| The Marriott is located near government buildings and diplomatic missions. Police say at least five people hurt in the explosion were taken to hospital. | The Marriott is located near government buildings and diplomatic missions. Police say at least five people hurt in the explosion were taken to hospital. |
| 'Huge bang' | 'Huge bang' |
| Witnesses say the bomber tried to enter the hotel through a back door that is used by staff. | Witnesses say the bomber tried to enter the hotel through a back door that is used by staff. |
| It was a huge bang - we rushed outside and there was chaos Hotel guest Mohammed Aamir | It was a huge bang - we rushed outside and there was chaos Hotel guest Mohammed Aamir |
| He was stopped by the security guard and detonated his explosives after a scuffle. | He was stopped by the security guard and detonated his explosives after a scuffle. |
| The BBC's Barbara Plett at the scene says part of the hotel and a number of cars were also damaged. | The BBC's Barbara Plett at the scene says part of the hotel and a number of cars were also damaged. |
| Frightened hotel guests spoke of chaos after the explosion, which could be heard in other parts of the city. | Frightened hotel guests spoke of chaos after the explosion, which could be heard in other parts of the city. |
| "I was taking lunch at the Royal Elephant Thai restaurant inside the Marriott when the entire restaurant was shaken by a bang," one guest, Mohammed Aamir, told the AFP news agency. | "I was taking lunch at the Royal Elephant Thai restaurant inside the Marriott when the entire restaurant was shaken by a bang," one guest, Mohammed Aamir, told the AFP news agency. |
| "It literally shook us out of our seats. It was a huge bang. We rushed outside and there was chaos." | "It literally shook us out of our seats. It was a huge bang. We rushed outside and there was chaos." |
| The city's Poly Clinic hospital said it was treating four of those injured in the explosion. | The city's Poly Clinic hospital said it was treating four of those injured in the explosion. |
| "One is serious and three others have minor injuries," doctor Murtaza Nadeem told AFP. | "One is serious and three others have minor injuries," doctor Murtaza Nadeem told AFP. |
| Security | Security |
| The Marriott was due to host a reception later on Friday marking the 58th Republic Day of Pakistan's neighbour and rival, India. It is not clear if there is any link with the bombing. | The Marriott was due to host a reception later on Friday marking the 58th Republic Day of Pakistan's neighbour and rival, India. It is not clear if there is any link with the bombing. |
| Some observers say the bomber may have been trying to target a bar in the hotel's basement where Westerners and other foreigners gather. | Some observers say the bomber may have been trying to target a bar in the hotel's basement where Westerners and other foreigners gather. |
| But they point out that if he had wanted to inflict maximum damage he would have entered by the front door, although it is much more heavily guarded. | |
| Security at the Marriott is tight, with guests and vehicles subjected to checks. An explosion at the hotel in October 2004 injured five people. | Security at the Marriott is tight, with guests and vehicles subjected to checks. An explosion at the hotel in October 2004 injured five people. |
| The US embassy warned its staff to stay away from the Marriott after the blast, even though it was blamed by Pakistan's authorities on an electrical short circuit. | The US embassy warned its staff to stay away from the Marriott after the blast, even though it was blamed by Pakistan's authorities on an electrical short circuit. |
| Bombings are fairly frequent in Pakistan, and are often blamed on Islamic militants angered by President Musharraf's support for the US-led "war on terror" and by his efforts to make peace with India. | |
| But there have been few attacks in the purpose-built capital itself, where security is easier to maintain. | |
| High security alerts were called in the cities of Karachi and Peshawar following Friday's blast. | High security alerts were called in the cities of Karachi and Peshawar following Friday's blast. |
| There has also been a security alert in Islamabad, related to army operations in the tribal areas near the Afghan border and threats by the militants there to avenge them. |