Chowrangi

The blast at Marriott Hotel that killed at least 60 people and wounded hundreds is worst terror attack of its kind in Pakistan. Just like 9/11 (as some of our ministers think this is Pakistan’s 9/11) Marriott blast will have deep impact on Pakistan’s geo-strategic position and its role in so-called war-on-terror. This is a decisive point in our history, to either brush off the burden of “front line state” that is plunging us down as a nation with every passing day, or to indulge in it with more intensity that will escalate our disintegration.

Rehman Malik, while releasing the CCTV footage, briefed about how the incident occurred:

• The truck was stopped at the barrier and there was an altercation between the attacker and the guards.
• Sniffer dogs then detected something wrong and guards shouted to people to run.
• The truck driver tried to ram there tractable metal barrier and bar at the security checkpoint at the entrance to the hotel’s forecourt and parking area.
• Most of the guards retreated when the truck tried to ram the barrier.
• There was a small explosion in the cabin.
• Flames were seen spreading from the front to the rear of the hydraulic dumper truck as cars passed by on the road behind.
• After the explosion some guards moved in before retreating once again, and finally one came back with a fire extinguisher, but failed to make an impression on the blaze.
• Then the screen turned blue, presumably as the final explosion let rip, killing immediate bystanders. Other victims were felled by flying glass and from the subsequent fire that swept through the building.
• 600 kg explosives were used, including RDX and TNT and Aluminum powder.

Malik said he expected the investigation to point to the tribal areas used as bases by Taliban and al Qaeda fighters on the border with Afghanistan.

Watching the CCTV footage, it is evident that the fatal explosion occurred due to negligence of security personnel installed at barricades before Marriott’s entrance. The fire that erupted after first explosion in front part of the truck blazed for around five minutes before it reached the rear part that apparently had explosives stocked in. If that fire was controlled in time, the blast would have been avoided. Also, so far there is no evidence that hotel management was aware of the first blast. A swift call inside the building would have generated a fire/emergency alarm and may have saved more precious lives, especially of guests who got trapped in their room and eventually succumbed to fire.

It is also unclear from the footage how the blast effected Marriott building so badly when it happened at quite a distance. The bomb left a vast crater, some 40 feet wide and 25 feet deep, at the security barrier to the hotel. Witnesses said security guards and their gate posts were buried under a mound of rubble. (NYTimes)

Initial news of bombers warning before the blast is not confirmed as well.

So far, there is no official version on why Marriott hotel was targeted. Initially Rehman Malik said that they had intelligence reports of possibility of suicide attack on Parliament House, Presidency or Prime Minister House, and they have beefed up the security there. So initially it was assumed that the bomber, when unable to hit set targets, went for an relatively easier alternate. Later on, Mr. Malik said that Marriott was the target. However, it is still unexplained why Marriott Hotel was selected as a target.

In absence of having a formal explanation, we can only speculate. Could it be the presence and mysterious activities of US Marines, and Senior CIA Officials staying at Marriott? Or the bomber selected Marriott as its a favorite hangout of foreign dignitaries and affluent Pakistanis?

We may not get an answer to this and the investigations will end without result, just like previous bombings and killings.

However, what really matters now is how Pakistani nation is going to behave in days to come. If we take Rehman Malik as the voice of PPP government, he said that either we give Pakistan to Taliban or we fight them. And, reason to fight they have got, a 9/11 of Pakistan. As US took the attack on World Trade Center as an excuse to bomb and plunder Afghanistan and Iraq, are we taking carnage at Marriott Hotel as an excuse to raise hell at FATA?

Other posts by Kashif Aziz

• Jahil Traffic Police wala of Karachi - January 7th, 2009
• KESC and CDGK Claimed Lives of Two Children in Karachi - January 5th, 2009
• Raja Pervaiz Ashraf should be sakced immediately - January 2nd, 2009
• Several States of USA under threat of Insolvency - December 25th, 2008
• Indian incrusions and double standards of Pakistan Armed Forces - December 25th, 2008
• After Ajmal Kasab, here comes Ghulam Farid - December 23rd, 2008
• Protector of Emigrants or Exploiter of Pakistan's Working Class - December 19th, 2008
• Arrogant Nusrat Javed of Bolta Pakistan - December 13th, 2008
• How To Protect Mumbai Coastline From Terror Attacks - December 10th, 2008
• Hemant Karkare investigations into Indian Army-Terrorist Nexus caused Mumbai Terror Attack - December 8th, 2008