According to Pakistani media such as Geo News, the U.S. Embassy in Pakistan said on the 25th that it had detected information on an attack conspiracy targeting Americans at the Islamabad Marriott Hotel.He then warned local citizens not to visit famous hotels during the year-end vacation and to refrain from unnecessary travel.Marriott Hotel is one of Pakistan’s most luxurious hotels, and is often visited by foreigners and businessmen. In September 2008, a suicide bombing killed more than 60 people and injured more than 250.The Korean Embassy in Pakistan also said in a notice on its website the previous day that Islamabad was on high alert, asking for “restrain from accessing densely populated areas such as unnecessary outings and religious facilities and shopping centers.”The Saudi Arabian Embassy and the Australian Embassy also asked their citizens not to go out unless necessary on the same day.In Islamabad, security concerns have been mounting since the suicide bombing on the 23rd.At the time, the suicide bombing occurred near a densely populated area of the government building in Islamabad, where security is very strong, and one police officer was killed and about 10 others were injured.It turned out to be the extremist militant group Pakistan and the Taliban (TTP).The TTP, formed by a coalition of Islamic militants, aims to overthrow the Pakistani government and build a state based on Sharia (Islamic law). It is a separate organization from the Afghan Taliban.
At the same time, a series of bomb attacks and skirmishes occurred in the southwestern province of Baluchistan on the 25th, killing six soldiers and injuring dozens.
Baluchistan borders Afghanistan and Iran, where separatist armed rebels and Islamic extremist groups usually engage in frequent terrorist activities.
In the face of frequent terrorist attacks, Prime Minister Shevaz Sharif stressed the previous day that he would “use all resources to root out the threat of terrorism.”
In fact, Pakistan has launched a massive search operation to mobilize military and police forces to wipe out the forces behind the attacks. Security and inspections of major facilities such as the Marriott Hotel have been greatly strengthened, and various gatherings in Islamabad have been banned.
TED PARK
ASIA JOURNAL
