
Update to this story. “Pakistan blames al Qaeda for bombing,” from ABC, September 22:
Pakistani and US intelligence officials say a suicide attack that killed 53 people at the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan’s capital bears the hallmarks of an operation by al Qaeda or an affiliate.
Claire Mackay reports at least 200 people are wounded.
The head of Pakistan’s Interior Ministry Rehman Malik says it appears the suicide bomber intended to drive the truck laden with 600 kilograms of explosives into the foyer of the Marriott hotel.
Mr Malik says had that happened the building would have collapsed. Security footage shows the truck ramming security gates.
Failing to break through the suicide bomber blows himself up.
Moments later the footage cuts out at the time of the major blast.
It left a seven metre deep crater and the 300-room hotel was gutted by fire.
Rescuers couldn’t reach many guests trapped on the upper floors and some jumped to their death…
Sounds familiar.