The death toll in a blast outside Marriott of Pakistan's capital Islamabad
has risen to 40, local TV channel quoted police sources as saying yesterday.
The blast also left scores of people injured, while 15 people were trapped in
the hotel waiting for rescue.
The blast caused fires in various parts of the five-star hotel building, and
smashed windows of nearby buildings, including the building of state television.
The Marriott Hotel, a landmark building in the Pakistan capital, is the
preferred hotel of visiting diplomats and businessmen.
The security has been put on alert across the country after the serious
blast. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza
Gilani condemned the blast.
The blast came just hours after Zardari vowed to firmly fight against
terrorism and extremism while addressing a joint session of the parliament.
