…. the entire building in flames, and killing at least 50 people and wounding perhaps hundreds and both totals is expected to rise significantly according to Pakistani authorities.

The Islamabad Marriott was believed a safe relatively haven and a favorite place for locals and foreigners to stay and socialize, despite repeated militant attacks. In January 2007, a security guard blocked a suicide bomber who triggered a blast just outside the Marriott, killing the guard and wounding seven other people.

Saturday news reports said after this explosion a security guard at the scene, Mohammad Nasir and several witnesses said a large truck had driven toward the gate before exploding, other said it was parked.

The blast crater some 10 feet deep covering a large area of 30 feet was directly in front of the hotel. That would tend to support the truck had been parked in front of the main building, where flames could bee seen coming from all the windows in the five story hotel. Rescuers carried injured and bloody bodies from the blast and resulting fire gutted building.

Locals told investigators the explosion brought down the ceiling in a banquet room where there were about 200 to 300 people at a meal to break the fast during the holy month of Ramadan.

Ahmad Latif, a senior police official, said it was one of the biggest terrorist strikes in Pakistan history.

Ambulances rushed victims to the hospitals and burned out cars could be seen throughout the area. Windows in buildings hundreds of meters away were shattered.

But Pakistan, a so called U.S. ally in the war on terror, has faced waves of militant violence in recent weeks following Pakistan and U.S. armies launched offensives against the heavily armed and entrenched Al Qaeda and Taliban insurgents in its border mountain regions with Afghanistan.

While it is true more information is needed to make a final determination, al-Qaeda, Taliban are the most likely ones responsible for the Marriott Hotel attack. Additional attacks against diplomatic facilities, hotels and other Western targets are likely as part of an increased targeting effort and operational tempo in Pakistan against Western targets by al-Qaeda and the Taliban. This is consistent with messaging indicators pointing to an operational focus by al-Qaeda on Pakistan greater than at any time before.

_ Sept. 20, 2008: A truck bomb devastates Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, killing at least 50 people and wounding many.

_ Aug. 21, 2008: Suicide bombers blow themselves up at two gates into mammoth weapons factory in town of Wah, killing at least 67 people and wounding more than 70.

_ Aug. 19, 2008: Bomb explodes outside hospital, killing 23 people and wounding 15 in Dera Ismail Khan, town in Pakistan's volatile northwest.

_ March 11, 2008: Suicide bombs rip through seven-story police headquarters and house in Lahore, killing at least 24 people and wounding more than 200.

_ March 2, 2008: Suicide bomber attacks tribesmen discussing resistance to al-Qaida and Taliban in Darra Adam Khel, killing at least 40.

_ Feb. 29, 2008: Suicide bomber strikes funeral of slain police officer in Mingora town in Swat Valley, killing more than 40 people and injuring at least 60.

_ Oct. 18, 2007: Suicide bombing aimed at former prime minister Benazir Bhutto kills some 150 people in Karachi during celebrations welcoming her home from exile.

_ Sept. 4, 2007: Two bombs hit army bus and commercial district in Rawalpindi, killing at least 24 people.

_ July 19, 2007: Suicide attack on minibus carrying Chinese workers in Hub, near Karachi, kills at least 29 people.

_ July 14, 2007: Suicide bomber attacks military convoy in North Waziristan near Afghan border, killing at least 24 Pakistani soldiers.

_ Nov. 8, 2006: Man wearing explosives attacks troops doing calisthenics, killing at least 42 soldiers at army training center in Dargai, town in North West Frontier Province.

This is all happening in a country that has nuclear booms and an unstable government.

For more terrorist related articles Google or go to: www.lagunajournal.com

BY MICHAEL WEBSTER: INVESTIGATIVE REPORTER Sept 19, 2008 at 9:00 AM PDT