By Steve Macko
Fifteen people were reported killed and 59 others were injured in an apparent suicide bomb attack at the Egyptian Embassy in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad. A pickup truck filled with explosives rammed into the gate at the Embassy and exploded. Islamic militants in Egypt have claimed responsibility for the attack. Most of the dead victims were said to be Pakistani security guards and people who were applying for visas to Egypt. It was reported that at least one Egyptian diplomat was also killed.
Sardar Aseff Ali, Pakistan's Foreign Minister said that the bombing was a "dastardly attack." He also said, "It was a terrorist attack perpetrated by a suicide bomber who may have blasted his way through the gate and exploded his pickup truck."
The powerful blast tore the entire side off the Embassy building, according to witnesses. There was said to be two explosions about three minutes apart. The bombing attack happened at about 9:30 a.m. Pakistan time, when the Embassy was open for business. Sunday is a regular working day in that part of the world. The second explosion was reported to be more powerful than the first explosion and was probably designed to kill and/or hurt rescuers. The explosion could be felt from several miles away.
A police constable, who is a security guard for the Egyptian ambassador said, "I was standing outside the gate and the body of a police officer came flying over the wall and landed beside me." The Egyptian ambassador was stunned by the explosion, but was unhurt. The police constable who witnessed the bombing said that the first explosion appeared to happen outside of the Embassy compound and the second, much larger explosion, came from within the walled area. Body parts of victims were said to have been scattered on the street around the Embassy.
An Embassy worker said, "It was a massive explosion." Many people were reported to be trapped in the rubble of the 3-story building. A hole ten feet deep was reported outside of the Embassy building. Many other buildings inside of the compound, including offices and apartments, were said to have also suffered severe damage.
The Interior Minister of Pakistan said that the militant Egyptian group al-Gama'a al-Islamiya had claimed responsibilty for the terrorist attack. Al-Gama'a has been trying to overthrow the government of President Hosni Mubarak for a number of years and replace it with a government of strict Islamic rule. Shortly after the explosion, an unidentified person called a Western news agency in Cairo and said in Arabic, "Al-Gama'a al-Islamiya claims responsibilty for the Pakistan blast." Security sources said that the Egyptian government is sending a special team to Pakistan to assist in the investigation.
On Saturday night, al-Gama'a al-Islamiya coducted another terrorist attack on a passenger train that was filled with tourists. A train that was heading north from Aswan to Cairo that was about 400 miles south of the Egyptian capital was fired upon by terrorists. One train worker was killed and several other people were injured.
Last Monday, an Egyptian diplomat was killed in Geneva, Switzerland. A previously unknown group called, "International Group for Justice" claimed responsibilty for the murder.
Counter-terorism experts are saying that today's bombing in Pakistan could mark the beginning of a new front in the war between the Egyptian government and the militants. A former Egyptian security officer said, "Egyptian missions abroad could be the upcoming target of the Gama'a terrorists."