Bomb Rocks Popular Hotel in Islamabad

A suicide bomb in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, Saturday killed at least 53 people, including two U.S. Defense Department employees and the Czech ambassador, and wounded more than 260.

The bomb hit the Marriott Hotel, leaving a 24-foot crater, at a time when the hotel was packed with guests. The blast, caused by an estimated 1,300 pounds of military-grade explosives as well as artillery and mortar shells, destroyed the entire front section of the hotel and brought down the ceiling of the banqueting hall. The Taliban and their al Qaeda allies are considered the most likely suspects behind the attack. bbc News reports:

Analysts say the attack is the most serious in the Pakistani capital to date and will spark fears about the country’s stability in the face of a growing Islamist insurgency.Pakistan has been a key ally of the U.S. in its “war on terror,” but relations have become strained over tactics.In recent months Pakistan has voiced growing disquiet over U.S. raids targeting militants in its territory, launched from neighboring Afghanistan.

Additional attacks against similar targets around the country can be expected, says Stratfor (September 20).

According to Stratfor, the bombing will give the Pakistani government an opportunity to change public opinion to support a tougher stance against Islamist terrorism and closer cooperation with the United States. It remains to be seen how effective it will be in doing this, however, in a country where the populace blames Islamabad’s cooperation with the U.S. for the Islamist insurgency.

What is clear is that the Islamist extremists are gaining strength and boldness, and Pakistan is far from stable. Editor in chief Gerald Flurry asked in January whether the U.S., by pushing former President Pervez Musharraf out of power, was helping push Pakistan into the hands of radical Islam. Watch for the political and security situation in Pakistan to become more unstable, and Pakistan’s relationship with the U.S. to remain tenuous.