New Delhi: At least eight people are feared dead and five others injured after a powerful blast took place outside the Danish Embassy in Islamabad’s high security area on Monday afternoon.
The explosive device was reportedly hidden in a car parked near the Danish Embassy.
The high security area houses many other embassies, including residences of top diplomats from various countries.
The powerful blast, which left a six-foot crater and rattled windows of houses located kilometres away, caused extensive damage to the private building in which the Embassy was located. The Danish Embassy had moved into the building last year following the Prophet cartoon controversy.
The Indian Embassy, which is in the vicinity of the blast site, was also damaged but no injuries have been reported so far.
Initial reports said most of the dead were Pakistani nationals, including guards deployed at the embassy and nearby private residences.
At least 30 cars parked in the area were completely destroyed by the impact of the explosion.
Following the blast, several Western embassies located in the area were evacuated and security was tightened across Islamabad.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blast but security officials said the attack could be linked to the Prophet Mohammed cartoon controversy.
Reports suggest the Danish Embassy had been issued several warnings about security threats. A committee of the Senate or upper house of parliament had recently recommended that all embassies should be shifted to the high-security Diplomatic Enclave near the Foreign Office.
(With agency inputs)
Comments
0 comment