Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing
Encyclopedia
The Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing occurred during the night of 20 September 2008, when a dump truck
filled with explosives detonated in front of the Marriott Hotel
in the Pakistani capital Islamabad
, killing at least 54 people, injuring at least 266 and leaving a 60 ft (20 m) wide, 20 ft (6 m) deep crater outside the hotel. The majority of the casualties were Pakistanis; although at least five foreign nationals were killed and fifteen others reported injured. The attack occurred mere hours after President
Asif Ali Zardari
made his first speech to the Pakistani parliament.
The Marriott hotel was the most prestigious hotel in the capital, located near government buildings
, diplomatic missions, embassies and high commissions
.
During the investigation, three suspected terrorists were arrested by the Pakistani police. They were suspected of having facilitated the suicide bomber. However later they were acquitted of all charges as no evidence was ever presented against them.
A few months after its bombing, the Government of Pakistan
had re-constructed the hotel and the Islamabad Marriott reopened officially on 28 December 2008.
The hotel blast caused a severe natural gas
leak that set the top floor of the five-story, 258-room hotel on fire, police said. The explosion was heard 15 kilometres
away. The blaze that followed quickly engulfed the entire structure of the Marriott hotel. About two-thirds of the building caught fire as a result of the explosion after a natural gas
pipe was blown open, and the reception area was completely destroyed.
The owner of the Marriott Hotel, Hashoo Group
, owned by Sadruddin Hashwani, who is an Ismaili
Muslim
, said the truck carrying the bomb had been stopped at the front barrier. "Some shots were fired. One of our guards fired back, and in the meantime he detonated all the explosives. All the guards on the gate died", said hotel owner Sadruddin Hashwani.
Most of the dead were Pakistani
s citizens, but foreigners also died from other countries. Two American military personnel and a Danish
intelligence agent were killed, and a U.S. State Department employee was missing and presumed dead. The Czech
ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Ivo Žďárek
, also died in the ensuing fire along with his Vietnamese
companion. Although Žďárek had survived the initial blast, he returned to the hotel to help in the rescue effort but was trapped in the burning building. In addition, six Germans, four Britons
and a Filipina
receptionist
from the hotel were among the injured.
's house, a few hundred yards from the explosion, following President Asif Ali Zardari
maiden address to a joint session of parliament. "The national assembly speaker had arranged a dinner for the entire leadership - for the president, prime minister and armed services chiefs - at the Marriott that day", the Interior ministry head, Rehman Malik, told reporters.
However, the hotel owner, Sadruddin Hashwani, denied that such a meeting had ever been scheduled to take place. According to a spokesman for Hashwani, "We didn't have any reservation for such a dinner that the government official is talking about."
Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik
said both Zardari and Prime Minister
Yousaf Raza Gilani condemned the attack and vowed their determination to deal with terrorism, with Law Minister Farooq Naek
stating "this is Pakistan's 9/11".
said RDX
and TNT were used in the attack. Approximately 600 kg (1,322.8 lb) of RDX was mixed with TNT (Torpex
or H6
) and a mixture of mortar and ammunition to increase the explosive capacity. Aluminum powder was also mixed with the material to further enhance this capability. Torpex is about fifty percent more powerful than TNT by weight. The blast was heard for many miles throughout the capital.
"Delay switches" might also have been used. Guards were first alerted by a minor blast, which was followed by the much larger explosion about four minutes later.
, Admiral
Mike Mullen
who met the Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani
and other government officials on Wednesday The personnel were staying on the fourth floor of the hotel, which also the most severely damaged by the fire which ensued following the bomb blast. According to the Dawn
, a number of the marines who stayed at the hotel sustained injuries; the newspaper also cited an unnamed law enforcement official stating "personnel of a US security agency" were in all likelihood the target of the attack. There are also reports that more Americans were present at the hotel, as several senior CIA
officers were visiting Islamabad at the time of the attack and believed to be staying at the hotel, according to unnamed "well placed sources". A 29 May 2009 press release from NSA reads: CTM3 Matthew J. O'Bryant, USN, a Navy Cryptologist, was assigned to Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Maryland. CTM3 O'Bryant made the ultimate sacrifice on 20 September 2008 while performing a cryptologic mission in Pakistan. The hotel has a direct line of sight to the telecom system in Islamabad Pakistan.
for the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party
, Syed Mumtaz Alam Gillani
, has come forward with testimony evidencing a purportedly serious security breach at the Marriott on the night between 16 and 17 September, several days before the bombing. Alam Gillani and two friends are said to have witnessed several large steel boxes being unloaded from a US Embassy truck by a group of US Marines and, according to someone at the hotel, transported to the fourth and fifth floors. Among the several people who witnessed this incident was Pakistan Peoples Party
leader Sajjad Chaudhry. However, Alam Gilani was the only one who objected to and protested the apparent security breach taking place, but was met with silence from the American Marines. The hotel security staff did not respond to Alam Gilani's protests as they passively watched what was taking place, not being allowed to go near the boxes by the US Marines. Alam Gillani has since denounced the newspaper account, asserting that he was merely making light conversation with the journalist, however, the newspaper stands by its account. Pakistani authorities are also investigating this issue.
The American Embassy has said that it routinely rents rooms at the Marriott. Confronted with the activities of the US Marines on the night between 16 and 17 September, embassy spokesperson Lou Fintor stated: "A team of support personnel often and routinely precede and/or accompany certain US government officials. They often carry communication and office equipment required to support large delegations, such as high-level administration officials and members of the US Congress." However, the incident occurred after Admiral Mullen's departure.
was considering delaying his visit to the US to attend the UN General Assembly
session in the wake of the bombing. MP Ayaz Amir
said that he felt that the president should cancel his visit given the circumstances, and instead should combat terrorism and extremism. He added, "I believe that the UN General Assembly annual session is the most useless event in the world where leaders go to listen their own speeches." However, Zardari did make it to New York for the opening of the new session of the General Assembly.
Due to the attack, British Airways
suspended flights to Islamabad
as a precautionary measure "until further notice." American schools and universities in Islamabad
has closed rest of the week until further notice has reached.
reported that Pakistan was an important ally of the United States in its "war on terror
", but that it had disagreements over tactics and had complained about US raids from Afghanistan
. Following an apparent power vacuum as a result of the stepping down of former president Pervez Musharraf
earlier in the month, U.S. missile-strikes had increased, culminating in the Baghar Cheena airstrike
on 17 September.
After the event, president Asif Ali Zardari
appealed for "all democratic forces" to help to save Pakistan and he pledged to rid Pakistan of Islamic militants: "Terrorism is a cancer
in Pakistan, we are determined, God willing, we will rid the country of this cancer. I promise you that such actions by these cowards will not lower our resolve." Pakistan's chief adviser on internal security, Rehman Malik
, said "the authorities would fight on until the last terrorist is cleared. We think that the safe Pakistan, safe Afghanistan is safety for the world and therefore we will not let them have easy way."
An American intelligence official stated that the attack "bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist operation carried out by Al Qaeda or its associates."
Some investigators suspect another Islamist group, Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami
, is responsible for the attack based upon the similarities between this incident and four previous attacks allegedly conducted by its operatives.
Dubai
-based Arabiya Television
says a group calling itself Fedayeen Islam (also spelled Fedayan-i-Islam), variously translated as "Islamic Commandos" or "Islamic Patriots" has called Arabiya's correspondent in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. The correspondent said he received a text message
on his mobile phone showing a telephone number. He said he called the number and then heard a recording in which the group admitted launching Saturday's attack. The Arabiya television correspondent says the speaker spoke in English language with a South Asian accent. The Fedayeen Islam group has issued several demands including for Pakistan to stop its cooperation with the United States.
On 1 January 2009 a missile fired from an unmanned aerial vehicle
killed al-Qaeda
's Pakistan
operations chief, Usama al-Kini
. U.S. officials stated that they believed that al-Kini masterminded the hotel bombing, among other attacks such as the 1998 embassy attacks in East Africa.
Sadruddin Hashwani said: "We have set up a fund to cater for the future expenses of the families of employees either killed or wounded in the attack." He announced that he would make an initial donation of US$126,000 to the fund, and appealed for people to donate generously.
The Marriott International and The J. Willard
and Alice S. Marriott Foundation also made contributions to the fund, established through United Way
to provide financial assistance to the associates and their families affected by the tragedy.
police chief has said intelligence agencies had informed the police about an explosive-laden vehicle entering the city to carry out an attack.
Three suspected terrorists Mohammed Aqeel
(possibly Dr. Usman), Rana Ilyas and Hameed Afzal were arrested in Peshawar
on 17 October by the Pakistani police with connection to the attack were remanded to police custody for 7 days on 18 October for questioning by an anti-terrorism court. They were suspected of having facilitated the suicide bomber. In requesting the court for a 10 day remand, the police also said they hoped to arrest more suspects with information from the three. Judge Sakhi Muhammad Kahut, who remanded the trio to police custody, also ordered police to produce them in court again on 24 October.
Another Dr. Usman, possibly the same man, went on in 2009 to take part in the attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team
and the raid against the Pakistani Army Headquarters
.
Police Qari Ishtiaq, who is said to the commander of Punjabi Tehrik-i-Taliban. He was arrested from Bahawalpur
on the information provided by the Hijratullah who has been jailed for 10 years due to his role in Lahore police academy attacks
. Seven other militants were arrested from different parts of Punjab regions on his information him. Four hundred kilograms (880 lb) of explosives were also seized from Qari Istiaq.
On 5 May 2010, Mohammed Aqeel
, Rana Ilyas, Muhammad Hamid Afzal and Tahseen Ullah were acquitted of all charges as no evidence was ever presented against them.
Dump truck
A dump truck is a truck used for transporting loose material for construction. A typical dump truck is equipped with a hydraulically operated open-box bed hinged at the rear, the front of which can be lifted up to allow the contents to be deposited on the ground behind the truck at the site of...
filled with explosives detonated in front of the Marriott Hotel
Marriott International
Marriott International, Inc. is a worldwide operator and franchisor of a broad portfolio of hotels and related lodging facilities. Founded by J. Willard Marriott, the company is now led by son J.W. Marriott, Jr...
in the Pakistani capital Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
, killing at least 54 people, injuring at least 266 and leaving a 60 ft (20 m) wide, 20 ft (6 m) deep crater outside the hotel. The majority of the casualties were Pakistanis; although at least five foreign nationals were killed and fifteen others reported injured. The attack occurred mere hours after President
President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
Asif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari is the 11th and current President of Pakistan and the Co-Chairman of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party . He is also the widower of Benazir Bhutto, who served two nonconsecutive terms as Prime Minister....
made his first speech to the Pakistani parliament.
The Marriott hotel was the most prestigious hotel in the capital, located near government buildings
Government Buildings
Government Buildings is a large Edwardian building enclosing a quadrangle on Merrion Street in Dublin, Ireland, in which several key offices of the government of Ireland are located...
, diplomatic missions, embassies and high commissions
High Commissioner (Commonwealth)
In the Commonwealth of Nations, a High Commissioner is the senior diplomat in charge of the diplomatic mission of one Commonwealth government to another.-History:...
.
During the investigation, three suspected terrorists were arrested by the Pakistani police. They were suspected of having facilitated the suicide bomber. However later they were acquitted of all charges as no evidence was ever presented against them.
A few months after its bombing, the Government of Pakistan
Government of Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan is a federal parliamentary system, with an indirectly-elected President as the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Pakistani Armed Forces, and an indirectly-elected Prime Minister as the Head of Government. The President’s appointment and term are...
had re-constructed the hotel and the Islamabad Marriott reopened officially on 28 December 2008.
Attack
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
leak that set the top floor of the five-story, 258-room hotel on fire, police said. The explosion was heard 15 kilometres
1 E4 m
To help compare different orders of magnitude this page lists lengths between 10 and 100 kilometres . The myriametre is a deprecated unit name; the prefix myria- is obsolete, not included among the prefixes when the International System of Units was introduced in 1960.Distances shorter than 10...
away. The blaze that followed quickly engulfed the entire structure of the Marriott hotel. About two-thirds of the building caught fire as a result of the explosion after a natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
pipe was blown open, and the reception area was completely destroyed.
The owner of the Marriott Hotel, Hashoo Group
Hashoo Group
The Hashoo Group was established in 1960 by Saddaruddin Hashwani and is one of the larger conglomorates in Pakistan. The Hashoo Group initially operated as a trading enterprise...
, owned by Sadruddin Hashwani, who is an Ismaili
Ismaili
' is a branch of Shia Islam. It is the second largest branch of Shia Islam, after the Twelvers...
Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
, said the truck carrying the bomb had been stopped at the front barrier. "Some shots were fired. One of our guards fired back, and in the meantime he detonated all the explosives. All the guards on the gate died", said hotel owner Sadruddin Hashwani.
Most of the dead were Pakistani
Pakistani
Pakistani may refer to:Person associated with Pakistan* Demographics of Pakistan* List of PakistanisPakistani as a language:* Urdu, national language of Pakistan* Languages of PakistanOther:* Pakistani cuisine- See also :...
s citizens, but foreigners also died from other countries. Two American military personnel and a Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
intelligence agent were killed, and a U.S. State Department employee was missing and presumed dead. The Czech
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Ivo Žďárek
Ivo Ždárek
Ivo Žďárek was a Czech diplomat. He died in the fire in the aftermath of the Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing trying to rescue people out of the burning building.-Early life:...
, also died in the ensuing fire along with his Vietnamese
Vietnamese people
The Vietnamese people are an ethnic group originating from present-day northern Vietnam and southern China. They are the majority ethnic group of Vietnam, comprising 86% of the population as of the 1999 census, and are officially known as Kinh to distinguish them from other ethnic groups in Vietnam...
companion. Although Žďárek had survived the initial blast, he returned to the hotel to help in the rescue effort but was trapped in the burning building. In addition, six Germans, four Britons
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
and a Filipina
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
receptionist
Receptionist
A receptionist is an employee taking an office/administrative support position. The work is usually performed in a waiting area such as a lobby or front office desk of an organization or business...
from the hotel were among the injured.
Meeting of the Pakistani leadership
Pakistan's top leaders were to have been in the Islamabad Marriott hotel when it was bombed; instead, having changed their plans at the last minute, they gathered for dinner at the Prime MinisterPrime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
's house, a few hundred yards from the explosion, following President Asif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari is the 11th and current President of Pakistan and the Co-Chairman of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party . He is also the widower of Benazir Bhutto, who served two nonconsecutive terms as Prime Minister....
maiden address to a joint session of parliament. "The national assembly speaker had arranged a dinner for the entire leadership - for the president, prime minister and armed services chiefs - at the Marriott that day", the Interior ministry head, Rehman Malik, told reporters.
However, the hotel owner, Sadruddin Hashwani, denied that such a meeting had ever been scheduled to take place. According to a spokesman for Hashwani, "We didn't have any reservation for such a dinner that the government official is talking about."
Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik
Rehman Malik
27 April 2009 He has been the interior adviser since 27 March 2008.Senator A. Rehman Malik is a Pakistani politician, member of the Senate of Pakistan, and the current Interior Minister of Pakistan under the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani administration. His Second name is Shetan Malik and he...
said both Zardari and Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Pakistan
The Prime Minister of Pakistan , is the Head of Government of Pakistan who is designated to exercise as the country's Chief Executive. By the Constitution of Pakistan, Pakistan has the parliamentary democratic system of government...
Yousaf Raza Gilani condemned the attack and vowed their determination to deal with terrorism, with Law Minister Farooq Naek
Farooq Naek
Farooq Hamid Naek is the current Chairman of the Senate of Pakistan, who replaced Muhammad Mian Soomro on 12 March 2009. He was appointed to that position by President Asif Ali Zardari of the ruling coalition of PPP, ANP, MQM and JUI-F. As a result of his election, senior PPP leader Raza Rabbani...
stating "this is Pakistan's 9/11".
Explosives used
Government advisor Rehman MalikRehman Malik
27 April 2009 He has been the interior adviser since 27 March 2008.Senator A. Rehman Malik is a Pakistani politician, member of the Senate of Pakistan, and the current Interior Minister of Pakistan under the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani administration. His Second name is Shetan Malik and he...
said RDX
RDX
RDX, an initialism for Research Department Explosive, is an explosive nitroamine widely used in military and industrial applications. It was developed as an explosive which was more powerful than TNT, and it saw wide use in WWII. RDX is also known as cyclonite, hexogen , and T4...
and TNT were used in the attack. Approximately 600 kg (1,322.8 lb) of RDX was mixed with TNT (Torpex
Torpex
Torpex is a secondary explosive 50% more powerful than TNT by mass. Torpex is composed of 42% RDX, 40% TNT and 18% powdered aluminium. It was used in the Second World War from late 1942. The name is short for Torpedo Explosive', having been originally developed for use in torpedoes...
or H6
Composition H6
Composition H6 is a castable military explosive compound composed of the following percentages by weight:* 45% RDX* 30% TNT* 20% powdered aluminium* 5% paraffin wax as a phlegmatizing agent....
) and a mixture of mortar and ammunition to increase the explosive capacity. Aluminum powder was also mixed with the material to further enhance this capability. Torpex is about fifty percent more powerful than TNT by weight. The blast was heard for many miles throughout the capital.
"Delay switches" might also have been used. Guards were first alerted by a minor blast, which was followed by the much larger explosion about four minutes later.
Video of the attack
The Pakistani government released the CCTV footage of the attack at a press conference saying that a six-wheeled dumper truck filled with explosives and an accelerant pulled up at the gate and first caught fire before exploding a few minutes later.American presence
An unnamed senior security official stated that about 30 U.S. Marines, scheduled to go to Afghanistan, were staying at the hotel, and they were believed to be the targets of the bombing. This conflicted with information given by another unnamed official who stated that the marines were in Pakistan in connection with the visit by US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffChairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is by law the highest ranking military officer in the United States Armed Forces, and is the principal military adviser to the President of the United States, the National Security Council, the Homeland Security Council and the Secretary of Defense...
, Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
Mike Mullen
Michael Mullen
Michael Glenn "Mike" Mullen is a retired United States Navy four-star admiral, who served as the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 1, 2007 to September 30, 2011. Mullen previously served as the Navy's 28th Chief of Naval Operations from July 22, 2005 to September 29, 2007...
who met the Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani
Yousaf Raza Gillani
Yousuf Raza Gilani is the current prime minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He was nominated as Prime Minister by the PPP, with the support of its coalition partners, Pakistan Muslim League , Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Muttahida Qaumi Movement, on 22 March 2008...
and other government officials on Wednesday The personnel were staying on the fourth floor of the hotel, which also the most severely damaged by the fire which ensued following the bomb blast. According to the Dawn
Dawn (newspaper)
Dawn is Pakistan's oldest and most widely read English-language newspaper. One of the country's two largest English-language dailies, it is the flagship of the Dawn Group of Newspapers, published by Pakistan Herald Publications, which also owns the Herald, a magazine, the evening paper The Star and...
, a number of the marines who stayed at the hotel sustained injuries; the newspaper also cited an unnamed law enforcement official stating "personnel of a US security agency" were in all likelihood the target of the attack. There are also reports that more Americans were present at the hotel, as several senior CIA
Central Intelligence Agency
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. It is an executive agency and reports directly to the Director of National Intelligence, responsible for providing national security intelligence assessment to senior United States policymakers...
officers were visiting Islamabad at the time of the attack and believed to be staying at the hotel, according to unnamed "well placed sources". A 29 May 2009 press release from NSA reads: CTM3 Matthew J. O'Bryant, USN, a Navy Cryptologist, was assigned to Navy Information Operations Command (NIOC) Maryland. CTM3 O'Bryant made the ultimate sacrifice on 20 September 2008 while performing a cryptologic mission in Pakistan. The hotel has a direct line of sight to the telecom system in Islamabad Pakistan.
Claims of US soldiers breaching security
An MPNational Assembly of Pakistan
The National Assembly of Pakistan is the lower house of the bicameral Majlis-e-Shura, which also compromises the President of Pakistan and Senate . The National Assembly and the Senate both convene at Parliament House in Islamabad...
for the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party
Pakistan Peoples Party
The Pakistan Peoples Party , is a democratic socialist political party in Pakistan affiliated with Socialist International. Pakistan People's Party is the largest political party of Pakistan...
, Syed Mumtaz Alam Gillani
Syed Mumtaz Alam Gillani
Syed Mumtaz Alam Gillani is a Pakistani lawyer who was appointed the federal minister of Human Rights on November 4, 2008, a new portfolio, the Ministry of Human Rights which was carved out of the ministry of law and justice. Gillani was voted into the National Assembly of Pakistan in March 2008...
, has come forward with testimony evidencing a purportedly serious security breach at the Marriott on the night between 16 and 17 September, several days before the bombing. Alam Gillani and two friends are said to have witnessed several large steel boxes being unloaded from a US Embassy truck by a group of US Marines and, according to someone at the hotel, transported to the fourth and fifth floors. Among the several people who witnessed this incident was Pakistan Peoples Party
Pakistan Peoples Party
The Pakistan Peoples Party , is a democratic socialist political party in Pakistan affiliated with Socialist International. Pakistan People's Party is the largest political party of Pakistan...
leader Sajjad Chaudhry. However, Alam Gilani was the only one who objected to and protested the apparent security breach taking place, but was met with silence from the American Marines. The hotel security staff did not respond to Alam Gilani's protests as they passively watched what was taking place, not being allowed to go near the boxes by the US Marines. Alam Gillani has since denounced the newspaper account, asserting that he was merely making light conversation with the journalist, however, the newspaper stands by its account. Pakistani authorities are also investigating this issue.
The American Embassy has said that it routinely rents rooms at the Marriott. Confronted with the activities of the US Marines on the night between 16 and 17 September, embassy spokesperson Lou Fintor stated: "A team of support personnel often and routinely precede and/or accompany certain US government officials. They often carry communication and office equipment required to support large delegations, such as high-level administration officials and members of the US Congress." However, the incident occurred after Admiral Mullen's departure.
Consequences
President Asif Ali ZardariAsif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari is the 11th and current President of Pakistan and the Co-Chairman of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party . He is also the widower of Benazir Bhutto, who served two nonconsecutive terms as Prime Minister....
was considering delaying his visit to the US to attend the UN General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
session in the wake of the bombing. MP Ayaz Amir
Ayaz Amir
Ayaz Amir is a renowned Pakistani Journalist, and is a newly elected Member of National Assembly in Pakistan's Parliament.He is most famous for his columns in the newspaper Dawn. He is also known as a politician. His columns are critical of the Pakistan Army's role in politics throughout the...
said that he felt that the president should cancel his visit given the circumstances, and instead should combat terrorism and extremism. He added, "I believe that the UN General Assembly annual session is the most useless event in the world where leaders go to listen their own speeches." However, Zardari did make it to New York for the opening of the new session of the General Assembly.
Due to the attack, British Airways
British Airways
British Airways is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom, based in Waterside, near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. British Airways is the largest airline in the UK based on fleet size, international flights and international destinations...
suspended flights to Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
as a precautionary measure "until further notice." American schools and universities in Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
has closed rest of the week until further notice has reached.
Terror pledge
The BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
reported that Pakistan was an important ally of the United States in its "war on terror
War on Terror
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
", but that it had disagreements over tactics and had complained about US raids from Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
. Following an apparent power vacuum as a result of the stepping down of former president Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf , is a retired four-star general who served as the 13th Chief of Army Staff and tenth President of Pakistan as well as tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Musharraf headed and led an administrative military government from October 1999 till August 2007. He ruled...
earlier in the month, U.S. missile-strikes had increased, culminating in the Baghar Cheena airstrike
Baghar Cheena airstrike
The Baghar Cheena UAV strike happened in the evening on Tuesday 17 September 2008, when four missiles fired from an United States Air Force drone aircraft hit the village of Baghar Cheena in the mountains of South Waziristan, in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan, about 4...
on 17 September.
After the event, president Asif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari is the 11th and current President of Pakistan and the Co-Chairman of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party . He is also the widower of Benazir Bhutto, who served two nonconsecutive terms as Prime Minister....
appealed for "all democratic forces" to help to save Pakistan and he pledged to rid Pakistan of Islamic militants: "Terrorism is a cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
in Pakistan, we are determined, God willing, we will rid the country of this cancer. I promise you that such actions by these cowards will not lower our resolve." Pakistan's chief adviser on internal security, Rehman Malik
Rehman Malik
27 April 2009 He has been the interior adviser since 27 March 2008.Senator A. Rehman Malik is a Pakistani politician, member of the Senate of Pakistan, and the current Interior Minister of Pakistan under the Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani administration. His Second name is Shetan Malik and he...
, said "the authorities would fight on until the last terrorist is cleared. We think that the safe Pakistan, safe Afghanistan is safety for the world and therefore we will not let them have easy way."
Possible perpetrators
A Taliban spokesperson denied the group's involvement in the blast, saying they "do not believe in killing so many locals."An American intelligence official stated that the attack "bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist operation carried out by Al Qaeda or its associates."
Some investigators suspect another Islamist group, Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami
Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami
Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami is an Islamic fundamentalist organization most active in South Asian countries of Pakistan, Bangladesh and India since the early 1990s. It was banned in Bangladesh in 2005. The operational commander of HuJI, Ilyas Kashmiri, was reportedly killed in a U.S. Predator drone...
, is responsible for the attack based upon the similarities between this incident and four previous attacks allegedly conducted by its operatives.
Dubai
Dubai
Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates . The emirate is located south of the Persian Gulf on the Arabian Peninsula and has the largest population with the second-largest land territory by area of all the emirates, after Abu Dhabi...
-based Arabiya Television
Al Arabiya
Al Arabiya is a Pan-Arabist Saudi-owned Arabic-language television news channel. Launched on March 3, 2003, the channel is based in Dubai Media City, United Arab Emirates, and is majority-owned by the Saudi broadcaster Middle East Broadcasting Center ....
says a group calling itself Fedayeen Islam (also spelled Fedayan-i-Islam), variously translated as "Islamic Commandos" or "Islamic Patriots" has called Arabiya's correspondent in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. The correspondent said he received a text message
SMS
SMS is a form of text messaging communication on phones and mobile phones. The terms SMS or sms may also refer to:- Computer hardware :...
on his mobile phone showing a telephone number. He said he called the number and then heard a recording in which the group admitted launching Saturday's attack. The Arabiya television correspondent says the speaker spoke in English language with a South Asian accent. The Fedayeen Islam group has issued several demands including for Pakistan to stop its cooperation with the United States.
U.S. airstrike
Unmanned aerial vehicle
An unmanned aerial vehicle , also known as a unmanned aircraft system , remotely piloted aircraft or unmanned aircraft, is a machine which functions either by the remote control of a navigator or pilot or autonomously, that is, as a self-directing entity...
killed al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda is a global broad-based militant Islamist terrorist organization founded by Osama bin Laden sometime between August 1988 and late 1989. It operates as a network comprising both a multinational, stateless army and a radical Sunni Muslim movement calling for global Jihad...
's Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
operations chief, Usama al-Kini
Usama Al-Kini
Usama Al Kini — or Osama al-Kini — was a citizen of Kenya believed to have held a senior leadership role in Al Qaeda.According to a United States military spokesmen, Al-Kini was the head of Al Qaeda's operations in Pakistan. Al-Kini was on the FBI's most wanted list...
. U.S. officials stated that they believed that al-Kini masterminded the hotel bombing, among other attacks such as the 1998 embassy attacks in East Africa.
Fund
The "Islamabad Marriott Assistance Fund" was started by the owner of the hotel as the blast and resulting fires killed about 40 hotel staff, including the security guards who had desperately tried to avert the disaster. While scores of other employees were also wounded.Sadruddin Hashwani said: "We have set up a fund to cater for the future expenses of the families of employees either killed or wounded in the attack." He announced that he would make an initial donation of US$126,000 to the fund, and appealed for people to donate generously.
The Marriott International and The J. Willard
J. Willard Marriott
John Willard Marriott was an American entrepreneur and businessman. He was the founder of the Marriott Corporation , the parent company of one of the world's largest hospitality, hotel chains, and food services companies. The Marriott company rose from a small root beer stand in Washington D.C...
and Alice S. Marriott Foundation also made contributions to the fund, established through United Way
United Way
The United Way of America, based in Alexandria, Virginia, is a non-profit organization that works with nearly 1,300 local United Way offices throughout the country in a coalition of charitable organizations to pool efforts in fundraising and support...
to provide financial assistance to the associates and their families affected by the tragedy.
Investigation
A panel that the government had formed, consisting of police officials and experts from security agencies to probe the attack, presented a preliminary report to the Prime Minister. The Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah also admitted to the Senate's Standing Committee on his ministry that the blast was the result of a defective security system. He added that the IslamabadIslamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
police chief has said intelligence agencies had informed the police about an explosive-laden vehicle entering the city to carry out an attack.
Three suspected terrorists Mohammed Aqeel
Mohammed Aqeel
Mohammed Aqeel is a Pakistani Islamist militant and member of the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Originally from Kahuta Tehsil in Punjab, he worked until 2006 in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps....
(possibly Dr. Usman), Rana Ilyas and Hameed Afzal were arrested in Peshawar
Peshawar
Peshawar is the capital of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the administrative center and central economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan....
on 17 October by the Pakistani police with connection to the attack were remanded to police custody for 7 days on 18 October for questioning by an anti-terrorism court. They were suspected of having facilitated the suicide bomber. In requesting the court for a 10 day remand, the police also said they hoped to arrest more suspects with information from the three. Judge Sakhi Muhammad Kahut, who remanded the trio to police custody, also ordered police to produce them in court again on 24 October.
Another Dr. Usman, possibly the same man, went on in 2009 to take part in the attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team
2009 attack on the Sri Lanka national cricket team
The Sri Lankan cricket team attack occurred on March 3, 2009, when a bus carrying Sri Lankan cricketers, part of a larger convoy, was fired upon by 12 gunmen, near the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan. The cricketers were on their way to play the third day of the second Test against the...
and the raid against the Pakistani Army Headquarters
2009 Pakistan Army General Headquarters attack
The Pakistan Army General Headquarters attack , was a hostage-rescue mission carried by SSG Division during which, on 10 October 2009, when 10 gunmen in military uniform opened fire on the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan...
.
Police Qari Ishtiaq, who is said to the commander of Punjabi Tehrik-i-Taliban. He was arrested from Bahawalpur
Bahawalpur
Bahawalpur , located in the province of Punjab, is the twelfth largest city in Pakistan. The city was once the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur. The city was home to various Nawabs and counted as part of the Rajputana states...
on the information provided by the Hijratullah who has been jailed for 10 years due to his role in Lahore police academy attacks
2009 Lahore police academy attacks
At 7.30 am on 30 March 2009, the Manawan Police Academy in Lahore, Pakistan was attacked by an estimated 12 gunmen. The perpetrators were armed with automatic weapons and grenades or rockets and some were dressed as policemen. They took over the main building during a morning parade when 750...
. Seven other militants were arrested from different parts of Punjab regions on his information him. Four hundred kilograms (880 lb) of explosives were also seized from Qari Istiaq.
On 5 May 2010, Mohammed Aqeel
Mohammed Aqeel
Mohammed Aqeel is a Pakistani Islamist militant and member of the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Jhangvi. Originally from Kahuta Tehsil in Punjab, he worked until 2006 in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps....
, Rana Ilyas, Muhammad Hamid Afzal and Tahseen Ullah were acquitted of all charges as no evidence was ever presented against them.
Intergovernmental Organizations
| Country Country A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously... | Response |
|---|---|
| President of the European Council President of the European Council The President of the European Council is a principal representative of the European Union on the world stage, and the person presiding over and driving forward the work of the European Council... and French President Nicolas Sarkozy Nicolas Sarkozy Nicolas Sarkozy is the 23rd and current President of the French Republic and ex officio Co-Prince of Andorra. He assumed the office on 16 May 2007 after defeating the Socialist Party candidate Ségolène Royal 10 days earlier.... said that the European Union European Union The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958... will "more than ever stand side by side" with Pakistan's fight against terrorism. High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Javier Solana Javier Solana Francisco Javier Solana de Madariaga, KOGF is a Spanish physicist and Socialist politician. After serving in the Spanish government under Felipe González and Secretary General of NATO , he was appointed the European Union's High Representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Secretary... said that he condemns in the "strongest possible terms the despicable bomb attack." And that "I wish to convey my sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the Pakistani government. My thoughts are also with those who were injured, to whom I wish a prompt recovery." |
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 NATO |
General Secretary General Secretary The office of general secretary is staffed by the chief officer of:*The General Secretariat for Macedonia and Thrace, a government agency for the Greek regions of Macedonia and Thrace... Jaap de Hoop Scheffer Jaap de Hoop Scheffer Jakob Gijsbert "Jaap" de Hoop Scheffer is a retired Dutch politician of the Christian Democratic Appeal . He served as the 11th Secretary General of NATO from January 5, 2004 until August 1, 2009.... said: "I condemn in the strongest possible terms the terrorist bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad. This grotesque attack, which has caused huge loss of life and great suffering, has no justification whatsoever." He added that NATO remains committed to working with Pakistan, including the new government, to combat the shared threat of violent extremism." |
| Organisation of the Islamic Conference Organisation of the Islamic Conference The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Upon the groups's renaming, some sources provided the English-language translation "Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation", but and have since indicated the preferred English translation omits the "the". is an international organisation consisting of 57... |
Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu is a Turkish academic, diplomat and currently the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation , the second largest intergovernmental organisation after the United Nations... , the secretary-general of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference described the attacks as "despicable terrorist actions completely contradict the praiseworthy precepts of Islam." and called the perpetrators "the enemies of peace whom the international community must fight with all possible means." |
 United Nations |
A statement issued by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon Ban Ki-moon Ban Ki-moon is the eighth and current Secretary-General of the United Nations, after succeeding Kofi Annan in 2007. Before going on to be Secretary-General, Ban was a career diplomat in South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and in the United Nations. He entered diplomatic service the year he... described the bombing as a "heinous" terrorist attack. He expressed his "heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of this appalling attack, as well as to the government and people of Pakistan. No cause can justify the indiscriminate targeting of civilians." The United Nations Security Council United Nations Security Council The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of... held a formal 5 minute meeting to condemn the attack and underline "the need to bring the perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of this reprehensible act of terrorism to justice". |
State entities
| Country Country A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously... | Response |
|---|---|
| President Hamid Karzai Hamid Karzai Hamid Karzai, GCMG is the 12th and current President of Afghanistan, taking office on 7 December 2004. He became a dominant political figure after the removal of the Taliban regime in late 2001... in a statement called for an "honest struggle" to beat terrorism. Adding that "As long as this evil phenomenon is active in the region, terror, horror and explosions will continue." |
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| Prime Minister Prime Minister of Australia The Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Australia is the highest minister of the Crown, leader of the Cabinet and Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, holding office on commission from the Governor-General of Australia. The office of Prime Minister is, in practice, the most powerful... Kevin Rudd Kevin Rudd Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010... said that he was hoping to hold prompt discussions with the Pakistani government about its response to the truck bomb attack and labeled it as a "barbaric attack on innocent civilians". |
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| Foreign adviser Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury was Adviser for the Foreign Ministry to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh from January 2007 to January 2009. In addition, he was also given the portfolios of the Ministries of Expatriates' Welfare and Chittagong Hill Tracts.... condemned the bomb blasts terming the attack a cowardly act of terrorism and describing the act as "heinous." He added "such [an] attack will bring no benefit for the perpetrators. The people of Bangladesh stand by the people and the government of Pakistan at this hour.". |
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| Canada condemned the bombing of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad which killed at least 60 people and offered its support for the Pakistani government. Canada "condemns the bomb attack ... and the appalling loss of life and injuries it has caused to so many innocent people", read a statement by Prime Minister Prime Minister of Canada The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution... Stephen Harper Stephen Harper Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election... . "The use of violence and terror against innocent civilians must never be tolerated and we condemn those who have perpetrated this terrible act...[Canada] continues to stand beside the government and people of Pakistan in their fight against extremism and terror." Harper said there were no known Canadian casualties, but that authorities are monitoring the situation. "The government and people of Canada extend their deepest sympathies to the families of the dead and injured", the statement read. Liberal party leader Stéphane Dion Stéphane Dion Stéphane Maurice Dion, PC, MP is a Canadian politician who has been the Member of Parliament for the riding of Saint-Laurent–Cartierville in Montreal since 1996. He was the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and the Leader of the Opposition in the Canadian House of Commons from 2006 to 2008... issued a statement saying "I strongly condemn the terrorist bombing...No cause can justify this kind of brutal attack on innocent civilians. Those who show such disrespect for human life, demonstrate only their own cowardice. The world will not tolerate this kind of assault on the people of Pakistan...My Liberal colleagues and I extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of those who have been killed, and wish those who have been injured a speedy recovery." |
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| The Czech minister of foreign affairs, Karel Schwarzenberg Karel Schwarzenberg Karel Schwarzenberg or Karel, Prince of Schwarzenberg , 7... , informed the family of the Czech ambassador about his death. He sharply condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the victims' families. He said the attack was an attempt to destabilize the situation in Pakistan after the recent presidential elections. He also welcomed the Pakistani government's assurance that the attack won't weaken its resolve to fight the terrorists. Prime minister Mirek Topolánek Mirek Topolánek Mirek Topolánek is a former prime minister of the Czech Republic and former President of the European Council. A member of the Civic Democratic Party, he was chairman of the center-right party between November 2002 and March 2010, succeeding Václav Klaus, who was elected President in 2003.On 24... has also talked to the envoy's family to express his sorrow. In his public statement, he said that "the Czech Republic sharply condemns any kind of terrorist activities." Topolánek added that Pakistan could be heading in the direction of a state like Iran or North Korea. As it owns nuclear weapons, a victory of fundamentalism in the country could destabilize the whole region and affect countries as remote as the Czech Republic. In his letter to the widow and her two sons, president President of the Czech Republic The President of the Czech Republic is the head of state of the Czech Republic. Unlike his counterparts in Austria and Hungary, who are generally considered figureheads, the Czech President has a considerable role in political affairs... Václav Klaus Václav Klaus Václav Klaus is the second President of the Czech Republic and a former Prime Minister .An economist, he is co-founder of the Civic Democratic Party, the Czech Republic's largest center-right political party. Klaus is a eurosceptic, but he reluctantly endorsed the Lisbon treaty as president of... communicated his sorrow caused by the act and said that the diplomat seemed to be the right man in the right place. |
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| The Danish Denmark Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark... Foreign Minister Per Stig Møller Per Stig Møller Per Stig Møller was Culture Minister of Denmark. He has been a member of Folketinget for the Conservative People's Party since 1984, and was Minister for the Environment from December 18, 1990 to January 24, 1993 as part of the Cabinet of Poul Schlüter IV and Foreign Minister from November 27,... says that he understands Pakistanis who compare this attack with the September 11 attacks. He stated that "The terrorists want to install a fanatical Islamic regime. However, Pakistan has nuclear arms and therefore this must not happen". |
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| Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit Ahmed Aboul Gheit Ahmed Aboul-Gheit is an Egyptian diplomat who was the Foreign Minister of Egypt from 11 July 2004 to 6 March 2011, since the government of Ahmed Nazif took office. Aboul-Gheit previously served as Egypt's ambassador to the United Nations. In December 2005 he began mediating the Chad-Sudan conflict... expressed Egypt's deepest condolences to the victims' families and wished the wounded a speedy recovery. Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Egypt supports Pakistan in face of violence and terror. |
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| Chancellor Chancellor Chancellor is the title of various official positions in the governments of many nations. The original chancellors were the Cancellarii of Roman courts of justice—ushers who sat at the cancelli or lattice work screens of a basilica or law court, which separated the judge and counsel from the... Angela Merkel Angela Merkel Angela Dorothea Merkel is the current Chancellor of Germany . Merkel, elected to the Bundestag from Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, has been the chairwoman of the Christian Democratic Union since 2000, and chairwoman of the CDU-CSU parliamentary coalition from 2002 to 2005.From 2005 to 2009 she led a... condemned the "brutal, inhumane" bombing, saying "The fight against transnational terrorism remains a top priority for affected countries like Pakistan and the international community. Germany will be continuing to support its partner Pakistan in efforts for stability and prosperity." Foreign Minister Foreign minister A Minister of Foreign Affairs, or foreign minister, is a cabinet minister who helps form the foreign policy of a sovereign state. The foreign minister is often regarded as the most senior ministerial position below that of the head of government . It is often granted to the deputy prime minister in... Frank-Walter Steinmeier Frank-Walter Steinmeier Frank-Walter Steinmeier is a German politician of the Social Democratic Party of Germany , and currently the leader of the opposition in the Bundestag. Steinmeier was a close aide of Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, serving as Chief of Staff in the German Chancellery from 1999 to 2005... sent a condolence message to the Pakistani Foreign Ministry saying that everything must be done to "discourage support for the terrorists." |
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| Prime Minister Prime Minister of India The Prime Minister of India , as addressed to in the Constitution of India — Prime Minister for the Union, is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in parliament... Manmohan Singh Manmohan Singh Manmohan Singh is the 13th and current Prime Minister of India. He is the only Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru to return to power after completing a full five-year term. A Sikh, he is the first non-Hindu to occupy the office. Singh is also the 7th Prime Minister belonging to the Indian... , in a letter to Yousuf Raza Gilani, said: "Such attacks are a grim reminder of the challenges we face from destructive forces which have pitted themselves against the values of democracy and pluralism and the voices of moderation. We strongly condemn this act of terrorism. They threaten the peace, stability and development of each of us individually and all of us collectively. We must not allow such forces to succeed. They must be dealt with and brought to justice." Indian Foreign Minister Indian Foreign Minister The External Affairs Minister or the Indian Foreign Minister is a position of office at cabinet level within the Government of India. The chief responsibility of the External Affairs Minister is to represent India and its government in the international community... Pranab Mukherjee Pranab Mukherjee Pranab Kumar Mukherjee is the current Finance Minister of India and leader of the current Lok Sabha.Mukherjee is a senior member of the Cabinet Committees on Economic Affairs, Infrastructure, Parliamentary Affairs, Political Affairs, Prices, Security, Unique Identification Authority of India,... said, "India condemns such acts of destruction and terrorism in any country of the world." |
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| Government spokesman Spokesman A spokesperson or spokesman or spokeswoman is someone engaged or elected to speak on behalf of others.In the present media-sensitive world, many organizations are increasingly likely to employ professionals who have received formal training in journalism, communications, public relations and... Dino Patti Djalal said that he hoped that the Pakistani government could reveal the case and bring the perpetrators to justice. Adding that "The Indonesian government strongly condemns the bombings in Marriot Hotel in Pakistan. We express a deep condolences to the victims, including Pakistanis and foreign citizens." The Indonesian Islamic Propagation Institute (LDII) Chairman Prasetyo Sunaryo chimed in, saying: "Not only non-Muslims but also Muslims in the country fell victim to the bomb attack. This is fasting month. The perpetrators of the bomb attack must respect it and refrain from committing a crime that claims the lives of other people. The bomb attack is certainly not the act of a Muslim. We, Muslims, must always keep watch for any attempt by foreign parties who try to disrupt harmony among adherents of different faiths. That is why we call on religious adherents in Indonesia to be united so we cannot easily be pitted one against the other." |
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| According to the Iranian ministry of foreign affairs, the extent of the grief inflicted upon the people of Pakistan has gravely saddened the Iranian nation. "Such despicable acts that lead to the death of innocent people destabilize Pakistan. We strongly believe a secure and stable Pakistan would benefit all regional countries." | |
| Foreign Minister Franco Frattini "firmly condemned" the attack saying it underlined the need to "reinforce international collaboration, in particular with the countries of the region" to "wipe out terrorism." | |
| King Abdullah II condemned the terrorist act in Pakistan and expressed solidarity with families of the victims. | |
| The Foreign Ministry Minister for Foreign Affairs (Japan) The of Japan is the Cabinet member responsible for Japanese foreign policy and the chief executive of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Since the end of the American occupation of Japan, the position has been one of the most powerful in the Cabinet, as Japan's economic interests have long relied on... issued a statement saying, "We express sympathy for the victims and send condolences to their bereaved families. We also pray for the early recovery of injured. The government of Japan firmly condemns these bombings as inexcusable acts. We pay our respect to and have supported the government of Pakistan which has tackled with war on terror while making enormous sacrifices. We are resolved to continue our support to President Asif Ali Zardari and the government of Pakistan that declared their strong determination not to give way to this act of terrorism." |
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| Vice President Vice president A vice president is an officer in government or business who is below a president in rank. The name comes from the Latin vice meaning 'in place of'. In some countries, the vice president is called the deputy president... Kalonzo Musyoka said, "Clearly, the attacks were not meant for the Kenyan embassy and our citizens are out of danger." He also sent messages of condolences to the people of the country on behalf of his government. The attack that left the Kenyan embassy in Islamabad damaged. The Permanent Secretary in the Foreign Affairs ministry Mwangi Thuita confirmed the incidence. The blast only shattered windows and doors of the embassy. |
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| Foreign Minister Rais Yatim Rais Yatim Dato' Seri Utama Dr. Rais Yatim is the current Malaysian Information, Communications, and Culture Minister. His ministry is considered a new ministry formed from the merger of three separate ministries in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak's smaller cabinet... stated his government was deeply shocked and saddened that the bombing was deliberately directed at a civilian target designed to inflict maximum human casualties. He added, "That this senseless act of violence was committed during the holy month of Ramadan has made it all the more reprehensible. It is our hope that the perpetrators of this heinous and despicable crime be brought to justice." |
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| Prime Minister of New Zealand Prime Minister of New Zealand The Prime Minister of New Zealand is New Zealand's head of government consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority support in the Parliament of New Zealand... Helen Clark Helen Clark Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008... said "New Zealand offers its sympathy to the people and government of Pakistan at this sad time. I know this is also a very worrying time for members of the Pakistani community in New Zealand, who fear for their loved ones, friends, and communities at home. New Zealand condemns such acts of terrorism without reservation. They are horrific and cowardly acts causing death and misery to innocent people. New Zealand and Pakistan have a longstanding relationship, through the Commonwealth. We welcomed the restoration of democracy in Pakistan, and its return as a full participant in the Commonwealth family. We recognize, however, that Pakistan has difficult challenges ahead of it. Its problems with internal terrorism, and the insecurity and instability in the border area with Afghanistan, are key concerns for Pakistan and the wider international community." |
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| In a press release the Norwegian Norway Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million... Foreign Ministry states: "The government has expressed our empathy towards Pakistani authorities over the loss of so many human lives, and we have asked that this be relayed to the bereaved." The Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre Jonas Gahr Støre Jonas Gahr Støre is the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, having been appointed to Jens Stoltenberg's second cabinet on 17 October 2005. He represents the Norwegian Labour Party.-Personal life:... states: "The government condemns the terror attack outside the Marriott Hotel today. There is no excuse for killing innocent civilians and I can do nothing except express my disgust towards those who are behind this act. This is a difficult situation for Pakistan. It is now important to add support to the democratic developments which have been taking place recently.". |
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| People's Republic of China People's Republic of China China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres... 's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu Jiang Yu Jiang Yu is the current Foreign Ministry Spokesperson for the People's Republic of China.- Biography :A native of Beijing, she has been working for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for over twenty years and she had been posted around the world, including the United Nations Headquarters in New York... stated: "China opposes terrorism of any kind. As the friendly neighbor and all-weather friend of Pakistan, China will continue to support the unremitting efforts of Pakistan's government and people to maintain stability." China condemned the terrorist attack and expressed condolences and extended sympathies to the victims and bereaved families. |
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| Press Secretary Press secretary A press secretary or press officer is a senior advisor who provides advice on how to deal with the news media and, using news management techniques, helps their employer to maintain a positive public image and avoid negative media coverage.... Jesus Dureza had condemned the bombings and pledges support to Pakistan despite calls to review its policy of being in the Global War against terrorism As such, the Philippine National Police Philippine National Police The Philippine National Police is the national police force of the Republic of the Philippines. It is both a national and a local police force in that it does provides all law enforcement services throughout the Philippines... has heightened security on hotels and other high-risk targets in the Philippines. |
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| The Foreign Ministry, in a statement, called it "a terrorist act that contravenes ethical and human values", and expressed "Qatar's condolences to the government and friendly people of Pakistan and families of the victims and the injured." | |
| President Dmitry Medvedev Dmitry Medvedev Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev is the third President of the Russian Federation.Born to a family of academics, Medvedev graduated from the Law Department of Leningrad State University in 1987. He defended his dissertation in 1990 and worked as a docent at his alma mater, now renamed to Saint... stated: "Resolutely condemning this inhuman act we convey sincere solidarity and support to the people and leaders of Pakistan. I am convinced that the perpetrators of this barbaric act will be found and duly punished. We reaffirm our readiness to deepen interaction with Pakistan in a bilateral format and in the framework of international efforts to deal with the threat of terrorism." |
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| Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero is a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party . He was elected for two terms as Prime Minister of Spain, in the 2004 and 2008 general elections. On 2 April 2011 he announced he will not stand for re-election in 2012... extended his "deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this bloody attack", and expressed his solidarity "in these difficult moments" with the Pakistani people and their government. |
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| South Korea condemned the bombing in a statement saying that the attack was "an act against humanity that cannot be tolerated under any cause." | |
| Press department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement saying: "Slovakia's Foreign Affairs Ministry re-confirms its support for the Pakistani Government in its efforts to introduce democracy and development, and in its fight against terrorism and Islamic fundamentalism striving to destabilise the country". | |
| Saudi Ambassador Ambassador An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization.... to Pakistan Ali Bin-Awad Asiri said: "We support Pakistan in its ordeal and we condemn this criminal act and denounce its perpetrators. We wonder how a Muslim person would carry out a criminal act in this holy month in this cruel manner." |
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| Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Sri Lanka) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a ministry of the Government of Sri Lanka that conducts and manages Sri Lanka's relations with other countries... issued a statement saying "Sri Lanka fully supports all comprehensive measures being taken by the government of Pakistan to combat the menace of terrorism. The ‘people and the government of Sri Lanka are extremely saddened’ and 'share the grief of the Pakistan nation in this hour of acute pain’." |
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| President of Syria Bashar al-Assad Bashar al-Assad Bashar al-Assad is the President of Syria and Regional Secretary of the Ba'ath Party. His father Hafez al-Assad ruled Syria for 29 years until his death in 2000. Al-Assad was elected in 2000, re-elected in 2007, unopposed each time.- Early Life :... condemned the attack in a telegram he sent to Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari. Assad expressed his deep grief and offered his condolences to Zardari, the friendly people of Pakistan and the families of the victims. He also wished the injured a speedy recovery. |
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| President President of Turkey The President of Turkey is the head of state of the Republic of Turkey. The presidency is largely a ceremonial office but has some important functions... Abdullah Gül Abdullah Gül Dr. Abdullah Gül, GCB is the 11th and current President of the Republic of Turkey, serving in that office since 28 August 2007. He previously served for four months as Prime Minister from 2002-03, and as Minister of Foreign Affairs from 2003-07.... said "I strongly condemn this appalling attack which aimed at spoiling domestic peace. I believe that those who waged this attack will be defeated by the national unity and communal compromise". Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Recep Tayyip Erdogan Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been Prime Minister of Turkey since 2003 and is chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party , which holds a majority of the seats in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Erdoğan served as Mayor of Istanbul from 1994 to 1998. He graduated in 1981 from Marmara... said "On behalf of the Turkish people who have suffered great losses for many years due to terror attacks and my Government, I strongly condemn this abhorrent attack which targets Pakistan's stability and its persistently developing democracy". |
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| The foreign ministry said" "The UAE strongly condemns this heinous crime, committed by terrorists this evening in Islamabad and led to losses in lives and properties." | |
| Prime Minister Prime Minister of the United Kingdom The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the Head of Her Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom. The Prime Minister and Cabinet are collectively accountable for their policies and actions to the Sovereign, to Parliament, to their political party and... Gordon Brown Gordon Brown James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007... condemned the suicide bombing in Islamabad and pledged that Britain would do whatever it could to help Pakistan combat terrorism. Foreign Secretary Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, commonly referred to as the Foreign Secretary, is a senior member of Her Majesty's Government heading the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and regarded as one of the Great Offices of State... David Miliband David Miliband David Wright Miliband is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for South Shields since 2001, and was the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from 2007 to 2010. He is the elder son of the late Marxist theorist Ralph Miliband... said that "This latest bombing attack in Islamabad is yet another shocking and disgraceful attack without justification." |
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| 15 FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime... agents have been offered to help in the investigation into the bombing; deployment pending approval of the Pakistani government. United States National Security Council United States National Security Council The White House National Security Council in the United States is the principal forum used by the President of the United States for considering national security and foreign policy matters with his senior national security advisors and Cabinet officials and is part of the Executive Office of the... spokesman Gordon Johndroe Gordon Johndroe Gordon Johndroe was Deputy Assistant to President George W. Bush, Deputy Press Secretary and a spokesman for the United States National Security Council... said that the country "strongly condemns the terrorist attack[...] [and we] will stand with Pakistan's democratically elected government as they confront this challenge." In the same vein, President George W. Bush George W. Bush George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000.... said "This attack is a reminder of the ongoing threat faced by Pakistan, the United States, and all those who stand against violent extremism", and that this attack "is part of a continuing assault on the people of Pakistan." Adding that he promised to "assist Pakistan in confronting this threat and bringing the perpetrators to justice", as well as to support the people of Pakistan "as they face enormous challenges economically as well as from terrorism." The two major presidential candidates United States presidential election, 2008 The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365... also gave statements: Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... John McCain John McCain John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election.... pointed to "violent Islamic extremism" and Democrat Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... Barack Obama Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in... said the attack "demonstrates the grave and urgent threat that al-Qaida and its affiliates pose to the United States, to Pakistan, and to the security of all nations." |
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| Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Le Dung strongly condemned the terrorist attack and expressed deep condolences to the state, government and people of Pakistan, as well as the families of victims, especially relatives of Vietnamese national Nguyen Hong Ngoc. | |
| The Foreign Ministry said that Yemen condemns seriously this terrorist attack, and that this acts as a confirmation that the terrorist network still forms a critical evil threat to security and stability of a number of world countries. The matter requires a boost to security and intelligence cooperation at the regional and international level to confront and end such criminal acts. It also expressed Yemen, its leadership, government and people's condolences to the Pakistani leadership, government and people, and for the victims’ families; confirming Yemen's solidarity and its stand with Pakistani government in combating terrorism. |
Other non-state entities
| Organization Organization An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon - as we know `organ` - and it means a compartment for a particular job.There are a variety of legal types of... | Response |
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 Cricket AustraliaCricket Australia Cricket Australia, formerly known as the Australian Cricket Board, is the governing body for professional and amateur cricket in Australia. It was originally formed in 1905 as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket... |
Public affairs manager Peter Young said: "Our reaction is that it's terribly sad and tragic news. "Australian cricket has got a lot of friends in Pakistan and I think everyone at the national level is really sorry to hear this sort of continuing news coming out of the place. We enjoy playing against them and we have tours coming up there next year of course. Everyone is praying quite fervently that the domestic situation there settles down so people can live their life in peace and hopefully we can start playing cricket there again." Australian Cricketers' Association Australian Cricketers' Association The Australian Cricketers’ Association is an organisation that represents the professional first-class cricketers of Australia, both past and present. It is not a formally registered Trade Union, but an Incorporated Association... president Darren Lehmann Darren Lehmann Darren Scott Lehmann is a former Australian cricketer, who made his ODI debut in 1996 and Test debut in 1998. He was on the fringes of national selection for the entirety of the 1990s, and only became a regular in the ODI team in 2001 and Test team in late 2002, before being dropped in early 2005... said that news of the bombing was shocking. "It's a tragedy over there, and it [would have been] a tragedy if our players and any of the world players were there", he said. |
 Marriott InternationalMarriott International Marriott International, Inc. is a worldwide operator and franchisor of a broad portfolio of hotels and related lodging facilities. Founded by J. Willard Marriott, the company is now led by son J.W. Marriott, Jr... |
In a statement on his corporate blog Blog A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in... , the CEO of the Marriott group International, Bill Marriott said that, "This senseless tragedy and the profound loss of life has left me greatly saddened. My heart goes out to those who've been injured and the families of the victims.... Currently, our associates who escaped serious injury are doing whatever they can to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. The actions of these associates in Islamabad and their desire and willingness to help in a time of such tremendous tragedy are a true testament to Marriott's culture." and that "We live in a dangerous world and this is a terrible tragedy. We grieve for those people who died, or were injured, and their families..." A statement from the hotel said, "The blast caused extensive damage to the front of the hotel and started a fire. Marriott International and the hotel are working with local authorities and rescue personnel to assist victims. News reports indicate numerous people were killed and injured in the bombing, including the deaths of several hotel security personnel who stopped the truck." |
 Pakistan Cricket BoardPakistan Cricket Board The Pakistan Cricket Board is a sporting organization that is responsible for governing all professional cricket including Test cricket and One Day International matches played in Pakistan... |
A senior official Official An official is someone who holds an office in an organization or government and participates in the exercise of authority .A government official or functionary is an official who is involved in public... told Geo TV Geo TV Geo TV or Geo Television is a Pakistani television network, founded by Mr. Mir Shakil ur Rehman in May 2002 and owned by Independent Media Corporation. The channel began test transmission on 14 August 2002, with regular transmission beginning 1 October 2002... : "What happened at the Marriott hotel is a human tragedy and very sad. But I think it shows that Pakistan does face a security situation like many other countries." PCB Director (Media) Sohail added, "We have been saying all along that Pakistan is as safe as any other country as no country is safe from terrorist attacks. But we were prepared...Indeed we face a security situation like many other countries but we were permitted and prepared to provide fool-proof and guaranteed security..." |
External links
- Statement on the Explosion at the Islamabad Marriott Hotel - Marriott.com - Bill Marriott's blog entry about the hotel disaster
- Post-Blast Pictures from the scene of the attack
- Islamabad Marriott Hotel
- Islamabad Marriott Reoopens on 28th December 2008
- Islamabad Marriott Hotel - is re-furnished After Blast.. see the link....