This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/8290059.stm
The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 12 | Version 13 |
---|---|
Suicide bomb hits UN in Pakistan | Suicide bomb hits UN in Pakistan |
(40 minutes later) | |
A suicide bomber dressed in military uniform has attacked the UN World Food Programme offices in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, killing five people. | A suicide bomber dressed in military uniform has attacked the UN World Food Programme offices in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, killing five people. |
Four of the dead are Pakistanis, the fifth is an Iraqi. The bomber died too. | Four of the dead are Pakistanis, the fifth is an Iraqi. The bomber died too. |
It is unclear who is responsible but suspicion will fall on the Pakistani Taliban, correspondents say. | It is unclear who is responsible but suspicion will fall on the Pakistani Taliban, correspondents say. |
They promised revenge for the killing of their leader Baitullah Mehsud in a US drone strike in August and have been behind a series of recent attacks. | They promised revenge for the killing of their leader Baitullah Mehsud in a US drone strike in August and have been behind a series of recent attacks. |
Last week, at least 16 people died in two suicide car bomb attacks in north-western Pakistan. | Last week, at least 16 people died in two suicide car bomb attacks in north-western Pakistan. |
'Huge explosion' | 'Huge explosion' |
Local television TV footage showed smoke rising from the heavily fortified UN building and shattered windows, shortly after the early afternoon blast in the building's reception area. | |
The explosion happened early in the afternoon | The explosion happened early in the afternoon |
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the bomber was dressed in a Frontier Corps uniform and asked to go inside to use the toilet. | Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the bomber was dressed in a Frontier Corps uniform and asked to go inside to use the toilet. |
The BBC's Orla Guerin, outside the UN compound, says sniffer dogs have been brought in and investigators are on the roof. The building is now ringed by heavily armed anti-terror police. | The BBC's Orla Guerin, outside the UN compound, says sniffer dogs have been brought in and investigators are on the roof. The building is now ringed by heavily armed anti-terror police. |
For Pakistan this is an unwelcome reminder that their capital remains vulnerable, our correspondent says. | For Pakistan this is an unwelcome reminder that their capital remains vulnerable, our correspondent says. |
It is further proof that the militants can still strike in spite of increased security precautions and ongoing army operations. | It is further proof that the militants can still strike in spite of increased security precautions and ongoing army operations. |
Mr Malik said the attack would not "slacken the resolve" of Pakistan's efforts to counter the Taliban. | Mr Malik said the attack would not "slacken the resolve" of Pakistan's efforts to counter the Taliban. |
'Terrible tragedy' | 'Terrible tragedy' |
Earlier, a WFP employee, Sajjad Anwar, told local television the explosion took place within the compound, close to the main building, where there were about 100 people working at the time. | Earlier, a WFP employee, Sajjad Anwar, told local television the explosion took place within the compound, close to the main building, where there were about 100 people working at the time. |
"Walls of the building have cracked because of the intensity of the blast," he said. | "Walls of the building have cracked because of the intensity of the blast," he said. |
"I don't know how this could have happened. We have private security as well as government-provided police." | "I don't know how this could have happened. We have private security as well as government-provided police." |
The WFP said three of its staff members had been confirmed dead and several others had been injured, with two in a critical condition. | The WFP said three of its staff members had been confirmed dead and several others had been injured, with two in a critical condition. |
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack as a "heinous crime". | United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attack as a "heinous crime". |
It was "a terrible tragedy for the United Nations and the humanitarian community in Pakistan", he added. | It was "a terrible tragedy for the United Nations and the humanitarian community in Pakistan", he added. |
The attack came as Britain's defence and home ministers visited Islamabad for talks with Pakistani officials on the role Pakistan plays in combating terror in the UK. | The attack came as Britain's defence and home ministers visited Islamabad for talks with Pakistani officials on the role Pakistan plays in combating terror in the UK. |
A British embassy spokesman said: "I'm not prepared to say where they are staying, but it is safe to say they were not affected." | A British embassy spokesman said: "I'm not prepared to say where they are staying, but it is safe to say they were not affected." |
Are you in the area? Send us your experiences using the form below: | Are you in the area? Send us your experiences using the form below: |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |