ISLAMABAD, 27 January 2007 — A suicide bomber killed himself and a security guard shortly after Friday prayers yesterday at the Marriott Hotel in a high-security area of the country’s capital. Security officials said a man set off the explosives strapped to his body when security guards stopped him from entering the hotel. One of the guards died and at least six other people were injured in the blast.
President Gen. Pervez Musharraf condemned the attack and vowed to continue fighting terrorism. “President Musharraf reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering commitment in the fight against extremism and terrorism and said that all-out efforts will be made to unmask and bring to book the perpetrators of this crime,” the Associated Press of Pakistan said.
The Interior Ministry confirmed that the incident was a suicide attack that took place at 2.37 p.m., hours before an event at the hotel was scheduled by the Indian High Commission on the occasion of India’s Republic Day. “He was on foot. The blast occurred when he tried to enter the hotel,” Chaudhry Iftikhar Ahmed, Islamabad’s police chief, said.
The Marriott is one of Islamabad’s main hotels and is also frequented by foreign diplomats and businessmen, making it a potential target for militants angered by Musharraf’s alliance with the United States and his efforts to make peace with India. A wrecked car could be seen on the road at the side of the Marriott. Forensic experts were examining the bomber’s remains.
“The bomber appears to be in his 20s. His face is not recognizable. His skull and lower body parts have been found,” retired Brig. Javed Iqbal Cheema, head of the Interior Ministry’s Crisis Management Cell, said.
— Additional input from agencies
