Pakistan government has announced it would reward Rs 1 crore to whoever provides information about a powerful blast outside a five-star hotel in the heart of Islamabad, which killed at least 53 and injured hundreds on Saturday.
A major portion of the heavily-guarded Marriott Hotel was gutted after a suicide bomber drove a truck loaded with about 1000 kg of explosives straight into the first checkpoint of the hotel. The explosion left a 20-foot-deep crater at the entrance.
In a televised national address, newly elected Pakistan president Asif Ali Zardari vowed to carry forward the fight against terror.
"I promise you that such terror attacks will not break our determination. We will protect and rid Pakistan from this menace," he said.
Pakistan's Information Minister Sherry Rehman too has strongly condemned the blast at the Marriott Hotel.
"We do not just condemn this attack but we stand firm in our resolve. We are committed to fighting and rooting out extremism and terrorism in all its colours and extents from the heartlands and soil of Pakistan. If anyone thinks that they can challenge the government or the state by such attacks they are firmly and sadly mistaken," he said.
Initial reports indicate that a terror outfit called Tehreek-e-Taliban carried out the attack, which is being dubbed as the worst in Pakistan's history.
Those injured include many foreign nationals staying at the hotel. Police sources said the dead include three South Koreans, two Saudis and one American.