Islamabad hotel blast: film of bomber released as death toll rises to 53

Last Modified: 21 Sep 2008
By: Andy Davies

Pakistani authorities release video pictures of the moments before the huge truck bomb exploded at the Marriott hotel in Islamabad.

The driver is seen trying to ram the hotel barrier before the truck bursts into flames.

Intelligence officials say all the evidence points to al-Qaida or affiliated Taliban militants in Pakistan's border area.

The bombing is the worst ever terrorist attack ever on the Pakistani capital and the number of people known to have died now stands at 53.

Islamabad's Marriott hotel, popular with foreigners, is on Aga Khan Road, close to the parliament building where the newly-elected President Asif Ali Zardari had addressed MPs earlier.

The hotel is surrounded by government buildings, where the president had been holding meetings.

Andy Davies reports.