The Truck Bombing Of The Marriot Hotel In Islamabad, Pakistan -- Summary Of News Reports

Pakistani police officers carry an injured person after a bomb explosion at an hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan Saturday, Sept 20, 2008. A huge explosion ripped through part of the heavily guarded Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital Saturday, killing at least 11 people and wounding 25. (AP Photo/B.K.Bangash)

Explosion At Pakistan Marriott Hotel Kills 60
-- Yahoo News/AP

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - A massive truck bomb devastated the heavily guarded Marriott Hotel in Pakistan's capital Saturday, killing at least 60 people and wounding at least 100. Officials feared there were dozens more dead inside the burning building.

The Marriott has been a favorite place for foreigners as well as Pakistani politicians and business people to stay and socialize in Islamabad despite repeated militant attacks.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, but Pakistan has faced a wave of militant violence in recent weeks following army-led offensives against insurgents in its border regions.

The capital has not been spared, though Saturday's blast appeared to be one of the largest ever terrorist attacks in the country.

Read more ....

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast, which shattered windows
hundreds of yards away from the hotel.

More News On The Bombing Of The Marriott Hotel In Islamabad, Pakistan

WRAPUP 1-At least 60 killed by bomb at Islamabad's Marriott -- Reuters
Dozens killed in Pakistan attack -- BBC
Deadly blast targets Marriott Hotel in Islamabad -- CNN
Explosion at Pakistan Marriott hotel kills 60 -- L.A. Times
Truck Bomb Destroys Marriott In Pakistan -- CBS
Bomb rocks Islamabad hotel, at least 60 dead -- Times Of India
Explosion at Pakistan Marriott hotel kills 40 -- Breitbart
Big death toll in Pakistan hotel blast -- Times Online
Islamabad suicide bombing: Scores killed at Marriott Hotel -- The Telegraph
Bomb kills dozens in Pakistan -- The Independent
Deadly bomb hits hotel in Pakistan capital -- The Guardian
In pictures: Islamabad blast -- BBC
The Marriott in Islamabad -- New York Times Blogs
Prairie Pundit has a good summary of today's events
CHRONOLOGY - Recent bomb attacks in Pakistan -- Reuters

My Comment: No one is really surprised by this attack. Pakistan is a more deadlier place than Iraq, and it was only a matter of time before an attack was launched against a soft target like the Marriott. As a consequence of this attack, I expect the war in the Tribal areas of Pakistan to start to really heat up in the next few weeks.