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Pakistan to target rebel hotspots | Pakistan to target rebel hotspots |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Pakistan's government has pledged to take targeted action against militants, a day after a suicide bomb killed 53 people in the capital, Islamabad. | Pakistan's government has pledged to take targeted action against militants, a day after a suicide bomb killed 53 people in the capital, Islamabad. |
Interior Ministry adviser Rehman Malik said raids would be carried out in some "hotspots" near the Afghan border. | Interior Ministry adviser Rehman Malik said raids would be carried out in some "hotspots" near the Afghan border. |
Earlier, the authorities revealed that a truck laden with 600kg of high-grade explosives had rammed the Marriott Hotel security gate before blowing up. | Earlier, the authorities revealed that a truck laden with 600kg of high-grade explosives had rammed the Marriott Hotel security gate before blowing up. |
Rescuers have been combing the wreckage for survivors and bodies. | Rescuers have been combing the wreckage for survivors and bodies. |
The blast left 266 people with injuries. | The blast left 266 people with injuries. |
Although most of those killed were Pakistani, the Czech ambassador and two US defence department workers were among the dead. | Although most of those killed were Pakistani, the Czech ambassador and two US defence department workers were among the dead. |
The attackers had disguised the truck well as it was covered with a tarpaulin and loaded with bricks and gravel Rehman Malik In pictures: Islamabad aftermathPakistanis bear brunt | The attackers had disguised the truck well as it was covered with a tarpaulin and loaded with bricks and gravel Rehman Malik In pictures: Islamabad aftermathPakistanis bear brunt |
A Vietnamese citizen was also killed in the blast, in which at least a dozen foreign nationals were wounded. | A Vietnamese citizen was also killed in the blast, in which at least a dozen foreign nationals were wounded. |
The Danish Foreign Ministry said one of its diplomats was missing. | The Danish Foreign Ministry said one of its diplomats was missing. |
No group has taken responsibility for the attack, but Mr Malik suggested responsibility lay with al-Qaeda and Taleban militants based in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) on the Afghan border. | No group has taken responsibility for the attack, but Mr Malik suggested responsibility lay with al-Qaeda and Taleban militants based in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) on the Afghan border. |
"In previous attacks, all roads led to Fata," he said. | "In previous attacks, all roads led to Fata," he said. |
The BBC's Barbara Plett, in Islamabad, says the attack might have been retaliation for army bombardments of suspected Taleban targets with jet fighters. | The BBC's Barbara Plett, in Islamabad, says the attack might have been retaliation for army bombardments of suspected Taleban targets with jet fighters. |
British Airways has cancelled two flights to Pakistan "in light of the security situation". | |
Room-by-room search | Room-by-room search |
The heavily-guarded hotel was attacked at about 2000 (1500 GMT) on Saturday. | The heavily-guarded hotel 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. |
Rescue teams combed the scene for bodies and survivors | Rescue teams combed the scene for bodies and survivors |
Shots are fired and the vehicle starts to burn. Security guards initially scatter, but return to try to douse the flames. | Shots are fired and the vehicle starts to burn. Security guards initially scatter, but return to try to douse the flames. |
The footage breaks off at the moment of the blast because the camera was destroyed. It created a crater about 8m (27ft) deep, and triggered a fire which engulfed the 290-room, five-storey building for hours. | The footage breaks off at the moment of the blast because the camera was destroyed. It created a crater about 8m (27ft) deep, and triggered a fire which engulfed the 290-room, five-storey building for hours. |
Officials said the lorry contained explosives as well as grenades and mortars. Aluminium powder was used to accelerate the explosion and added to the ferocity of the blaze. | Officials said the lorry contained explosives as well as grenades and mortars. Aluminium powder was used to accelerate the explosion and added to the ferocity of the blaze. |
"I do not believe this is a breakdown in security. The attackers had disguised the truck well as it was covered with a tarpaulin and loaded with bricks and gravel," Mr Malik said. | "I do not believe this is a breakdown in security. The attackers had disguised the truck well as it was covered with a tarpaulin and loaded with bricks and gravel," Mr Malik said. |
Witnesses described a scene of horror as blood-covered victims were pulled from the wreckage and guests and staff ran for cover from shattered glass and flames. | Witnesses described a scene of horror as blood-covered victims were pulled from the wreckage and guests and staff ran for cover from shattered glass and flames. |
The fire has now burned out and rescue workers have been searching the building room-by-room, pulling bodies out of the blackened debris. | The fire has now burned out and rescue workers have been searching the building room-by-room, pulling bodies out of the blackened debris. |
'Confronting the threat' | 'Confronting the threat' |
Immediately after the bombing, newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari vowed to root out the "cancer" of terrorism in Pakistan. | Immediately after the bombing, newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari vowed to root out the "cancer" of terrorism in Pakistan. |
He has now flown to New York to attend the UN General Assembly session, where he will meet US President George W Bush on the sidelines. | He has now flown to New York to attend the UN General Assembly session, where he will meet US President George W Bush on the sidelines. |
The meeting comes amid tension between the two countries over US attacks on militants in tribal areas of Pakistan, close to the Afghan border. | The meeting comes amid tension between the two countries over US attacks on militants in tribal areas of Pakistan, close to the Afghan border. |
In the wake of the attack, President Bush pledged assistance to Pakistan in "confronting this threat and bringing the perpetrators to justice". | In the wake of the attack, President Bush pledged assistance to Pakistan in "confronting this threat and bringing the perpetrators to justice". |
The Marriott is the most prestigious hotel in the capital, and is located near government buildings and diplomatic missions. It is popular with foreigners and the Pakistani elite. | The Marriott is the most prestigious hotel in the capital, and is located near government buildings and diplomatic missions. It is popular with foreigners and the Pakistani elite. |
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. |