Pakistan Must Act Decisively Or Risk Catastrophic Consequences

More than any other terrorist attack in this volatile country, the devastating truck bombing of the Marriott Hotel over the weekend has presented government and military leaders here with a stark choice: Go all out against extremists or risk the nation’s collapse into chaos.

That is the growing consensus among many Pakistani analysts and commentators, who fear that without rapid, determined and ironfisted action by officials and security forces, this nuclear-armed land is in danger of becoming a failed state, with Islamic radicals in control. Read more

Pakistani Spies Hear al Qaeda Celebrating Blast

Intelligence is still being gathered however’ it’s becoming clear that al Qaeda, if not directly responsible for this weekends bombing in Pakistan is involved.

The Islamist group that has claimed responsibility for bombing the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad was hitherto unheard of, but Pakistani intelligence eavesdroppers heard al Qaeda operatives celebrating the attack. Read more

Pakistan Hunts Al-Qaeda Cell After Hotel Blast

Pakistani investigators are hunting an Al-Qaeda cell based in Islamabad that is believed to have carried out the bombing of the Marriott Hotel, security officials said Monday.

Investigators said they believed the attackers constructed the massive 600-kilo (1,300 pound) truck bomb at a safe house in the capital, since all lorries entering the heavily-guarded city are searched at checkpoints. Read more

Update – Pakistan Marriott Bombing Bares Hallmarks of al Qaeda

A suicide bomb attack that killed 53 people at the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan’s capital bore the hallmarks of an operation by al Qaeda or an affiliate, Pakistani and U.S. intelligence officials said on Sunday.

Teams combing the burnt shell of the hotel found more charred bodies after the blast on Saturday evening ignited a blaze that swept through the hotel, part of a U.S.-based chain and a favorite haunt of diplomats and wealthy Pakistanis. Read more