Suicide attack in I-8 sector of Islamabad

Suicide bomber attacks a branch of Silk Bank. Security guard killed, four others injured.

ISLAMABAD: A suicide bomber targeted a branch of Silk Bank in the I-8 sector area of Islamabad on Monday.

The suicide bomber detonated after being intercepted by the security guard at the entrance of the bank. The security guard was injured as a result of the blast and succumbed to his injuries when he was shifted to the hospital.

Four other people were reported to be injured, one of them in critical condition.

Inspector General of Police (IG) Islamabad, Wajid Durrani said the head and body parts of the suicide bomber had been found from the site.

President and PM condemn attack

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani strongly condemned the suicide bomb blast. The President expressed his condolences with the families of the deceased, APP reported. The PM expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of life and ordered inquiry into the incident.

End of live updates

3:50pm

The front of the bank was badly damaged and hoardings smashed. Pieces of human flesh were scattered on the floor and several cars parked outside were also damaged, said an AFP reporter.

"I was returning from lunch when I heard a deafening noise," said Chaudhry Yassir, who works in another bank nearby, told AFP.

"I saw the guard. It's difficult to describe his condition. He was being rushed to the hospital but there was no hope.

"The same building has a wedding hall in the basement but there was no function at the time of the blast," Yassir added.

"One security guard is confirmed dead while two others are injured," Wajid Durrani told AFP, estimating that the bomber was aged 24 to 25 years old.

Twitter buzz:

Orezavi Our security strategy and tactics haven't, ever, worked out for us. #Fact #Pakistan

Farieha Aziz Not saying checkposts can prevent suicide bombers who arere most likely to detonate themselves there. But what purpose do they serve? Inconvenient.

Marvi Sirmed  

Blast in Islamabad and all the media continuously showing the live footage. Blast in Quetta and the news vanishes after 5 minutes. Heck :(

3:40pm

Eye-witnesses are saying the suicide bomber had been stopped by the guard outside the bank and had briefly resisted before detonating.

The furniture inside the bank has been destroyed, report Express 24/7 correspondent Syed Ali.

This is the first major attack in Islamabad after at least 18 months.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik had earlier said that security would be tightened in the capital.

3:35pm

Express 24/7 correspondent, Syed Ali reports that a minor altercation occurred between media and the police when some members of the media tried to enter the blast site.

Eye-witnesses from the site confirmed that the guard had stopped the suicide bomber at the entrance, who had then detonated outside the bank.

Forensic and security officials are on the site and are combing the site for evidence.

IG Islamabad confirmed that the second body, which is reported to be the body of the suicide bomber, had been shifted from the site for forensic analysis.

"The bomber tried to enter into the branch of a private bank in I-8 sector of the city, but the guard resisted and the bomber detonated himself," city police chief Wajid Durrani told Reuters on the spot.

"It seems to be a suicide attack, we have found the head and the body parts of the bomber," he told AFP.

"The bomber probably blew himself up inside the bank as his
head is lying inside," Wajid Ali Durrani told Reuters.

Nida Rasheed Was I-8 targeted because it's on the boundary of Islamabad? There's maybe one security checkpoint before it. #Islamabad

Hena Zuberi Suicide attack in Islamabad-why is I-8 such an easy target? Bhatti killed there too #Islamabadbombing

Areebah Shahid Suicide blast outside civilian property..and the war returns to #Islamabad again…

Orezavi I see no point, and find it rather offensive, when sitting politicians tweet about breaking news & sympathise with those affected.

3:26pm

Express 24/7 correspondent, Suhail Chaudhry reports Deputy Commissioner Islamabad has confirmed four people have been injured.

Three people have been shifted to PIMS Hospital, one is reported to be in critical condition.

3:25pm

"The bomber walked into the bank and blew himself up when
the security guard tried to search him," witness Hammad Ahmad told Reuters.

Twitter alert:

Omar Waraich The target was Silk Bank in I-8 - owned by former Finance Minister Shaukat Tareen

Omar Waraich The security guard was killed by the suicide bomber while preventing him from entering the bank #IslamabadBombing

3:20pm

IG Islamabad Wajid Ali Durrani says remains have been found inside the bank building and the police suspect that they belong to the suicide bomber.

Express 24/7 correspondent, Syed Ali Ehsan says many people were present inside and outside the bank.

The injured have been taken to PIMS Hospital, which is the closest medical facility from the blast site.

There have been reports of only two injured from hospital sources.

The Bomb Disposal Squad is examining the site.

3:15pm

The suicide bomber detonated outside the bank when he was stopped by the security guard, reports state.

SSP Islamabad Tahir Alam has also confirmed that it was a suicide attack.

3:10pm

DIG Islamabad Bin Yamin has been confirmed that the blast was a suicide attack.

Fire brigade has arrived at the site.

Security and rescue forces are present in the area.

Two people are confirmed dead and several have been reported to be injured.

3:05pm

Police authorities have confirmed that the blast was a suicide attack.

A second body has also been found from the site, sources have said that the body could belong to the suicide bomber.

There has been a considerable amount of damage to the front of the bank.

Emergency has been declared at all hospitals.

3:00pm

Several people have been reported to be injured in the blast.

The security guard of the bank has been reported to be killed as a result of the blast.

There is no information on the intensity of the blast.

Rescue 1122 teams have reached the site.

On Sunday, a low intensity roadside blast injured three people including a child on Murree Road near Malpur village on the outskirts of the city.

A slideshow of images from the site can be viewed here.

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