Saturday, September 20, 2008

Possible al-Qaeda attack on Marriot Hotel in Pakistan

A terrorist bombing at the Marriot Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan killed at least 40 people although the final toll is expected to be much higher.

The country appears to be in an extremely precarious situation after the fall of former president Pervez Musharraf, and the onset of U.S. raids across its borders in violation of its national sovereignty.

Although no group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack which has completely destroyed the hotel by fire, experts say the bombing has all the hallmarks of an al-Qaeda operation.



Voice of America
At Least 40 Are Killed in Blast at Pakistan Hotel
New York Times - 38 minutes ago

Flames poured from the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad on Saturday after a massive truck bombing. More Photos > By CARLOTTA GALL ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - A huge truck bomb exploded at the gateway of the five-star Marriott Hotel in Islamabad on Saturday ...
Video: Dozens killed in Pakistan hotel blast - 20 Sep 08 AlJazeeraEnglish

Explosion at Pakistan Marriott hotel kills 40 The Associated Press
 A massive bomb has blown up in front of the fortified Marriot Hotel in Islamabad.Play
Dozens die in Pakistan hotel blast
Reuters via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 50 minutes ago

The Marriot Hotel burns after a suspected suicide car-bomb attack in Islamabad in this video grab, September 20, 2008. (AAJ via Reuters TV/Reuters)