Islamabad, October 06: Pakistan blamed Taliban militants Tuesday for the deadly suicide bombing at the U.N. food agency’s heavily fortified compound in the capital as authorities detained some of the guards posted outside to try to determine how the attacker gained entry.
The suicide bomber, who killed five people at the World Food Program’s Pakistan headquarters Monday afternoon, was dressed as a security officer and was allowed to enter — apparently bypassing the normal security procedures — after asking the guards outside if he could used the bathroom.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters Tuesday that the Taliban carried out the attack to avenge the Aug. 5 slaying of their leader Baitullah Mehsud in a U.S. drone attack.
“We should expect a few more (attacks),” he said.
After the attack, the U.N. announced it was temporarily closing all its offices in Pakistan, but said its Pakistani partner organizations would continue distributing food, medicine and other humanitarian assistance. The world body said it would reassess the situation over the next several days.
Malik, who was visiting those injured in the bombing at a Pakistani hospital, said the government had taken several of the guards outside the U.N. offices into custody for questioning as part of the investigation into the security lapse.
“All the security arrangements were in place at the U.N. office,” he said.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s top security official has blamed Taliban militants for the deadly suicide bombing at the offices of the U.N. food agency in Islamabad.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said Tuesday that the Taliban carried out the attack to avenge the Aug. 5 slaying of their leader Baitullah Mehsud in a U.S. drone attack.
The bombing at the heavily guarded World Food Program offices in Islamabad on Monday killed five people.
—Agencies