I was on my way back to office frm lunch …n saw a lot of crowd and closed roads n hell of police n army just then got a call frm mom tellin me abt the blast @ marriot’s parkin lot i was shocked as i was just passin by tht place :S …according to GEO i got to know 2 ppl died 
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
There was an Indian Embassy republic day function there.
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
....
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
It's reported that one of the victim was security guard who stopped the deranged animal from going inside.
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
was it a suicide bombing???Can u post any link to this news
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
‘Suicide blast’ at Pakistan hotel
Hotel staff cover one of the bodies
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.
“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.
‘Huge bang’
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
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.
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.
“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.
“One is serious and three others have minor injuries,” doctor Murtaza Nadeem told AFP.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
Somehow this wont get the attention it deserves. Pakistan needs to keep these radical nuts out. They dont help Pakistan in any way.
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one of my uncles works there, i saw him on tv last time the blast happend a few years ago, just called and hes fine... it was a security guy who died, and the other ones in critical condition, prayers for him...
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This security guard saved so many lives by stoping this nut case... I believe they had a small tussle before the bomb went off...
This guard should be honored...
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agreed.
this arab style of terroism is now seeping here, and it must be stopped!
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any estimates on how many lives that hero saved by putting himself on the line against the bomber?
and I agree, that guard needs to be honored and his family taken care of so they can have a decent life even after losing him.
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The unsung security guard is the true hero of Pakistan's war on terror. Civilians cast into the front line of the war against those who would sneak amongst us and kill.
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
very well said
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
My wife used to work there, and she says that the office where the guy would have entered is a very small office, but its a back office, so security isnt that tight inside, but getting in is difficult because you have to go through security.
Once inside he would have had access to the entire hotel, but it would have taken him time to find his way around because its very confusing inside.
There would have been employees coming and going through there however, and they would have been at risk…
The guy would have eventually gotten into the hotel and caused all kinds of havoc…
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
I dont think its confusing at all, or maybe ive attended too many shadiz there?
I believe he entered from the employee car parking side, close to where Muddies is at.
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
No, she said after you get into the back office, finding your way to the hotel from the basement can be a little confusing. Thats if your new…
The entrance from where this person was trying to get in is only for employees, anyone else and you have to know someone in the hotel.. Security would then contact the person and let you in that way.
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
I heard he would have entered through the kitchen back door. Poor guard who gave his life and protected others
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\01\27\story_27-1-2007_pg1_4
econstruct mosques or Else: Islamabad mullahs threaten suicide attacks
- Cleric says 10,000 students to be taught significance of jihad
By Mohammad Kamran and Mohammad Imran
ISLAMABAD: The administration of Lal Masjid on Friday threatened the government of suicide attacks if it continues to demolish mosques and madrassas. The clerics also acquired a commitment to this effect from thousands of worshippers at the Friday congregation.
Addressing the Friday sermon, Maulana Abdul Aziz, key prayer leader of Lal Masjid, asked the government to reconstruct the demolished mosques and urged President Musharraf to “seek Allah’s forgiveness” for demolishing “seven mosques in the country”. “We are ready to carry out suicide attacks if the government does not meet our demands,” he said, adding that the clerics would accept General Musharraf president for life if he accepts all their demands in letter and spirit.
Maulana Aziz, who is also the principal of Jamia Hafsa and Jamia Fareedia madrassas, issued a decree after citing verses from the Quran that jihad had become obligatory on all men and women against the backdrop of “prevailing evil in the country”. He demanded the government enforce a system based on the Quran and Sunnah in the country and stop dubbing jihad as terrorism.
He praised the girl students of Jamia Hafsa for besieging the children library, saying, “It was the last resort because all our demonstrations, negotiations and protests fell on deaf ears. This is a practice of the mujahideen all over the world.”
Maulana Aziz said that millions of madrassa students had decided to sacrifice their lives in the name of Allah and the government must realise the gravity of the situation. He said that 10,000 students of Jamia Fareedia would sit in aitekaaf for 40 days to seek “divine help” and they would also be taught about the significance of jihad. “We do not want an armed conflict with the government, but we should not be pushed to the wall,” he added.
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
Whos this idiot now? God damn Mullahs.
Re: Bomb blast @ marriot islamabad
This has been horrible... God bless the martyred guard's soul and his family.