Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07ISLAMABAD3857
2007-09-05 14:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Islamabad
how-toVZCZCXRO8671 PP RUEHLH RUEHPW DE RUEHIL #3857 2481403 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 051403Z SEP 07 FM AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1512 INFO RUEHKA/AMEMBASSY DHAKA PRIORITY 2216 RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL PRIORITY 7488 RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 1687 RUEHKP/AMCONSUL KARACHI PRIORITY 7249 RUEHLH/AMCONSUL LAHORE PRIORITY 3328 RUEHPW/AMCONSUL PESHAWAR PRIORITY 1768 RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 2908 RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC PRIORITY RHWSMRC/USCINCCENT MACDILL AFB FL PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 003857
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2017
TAGS: PTER PGOV PK
SUBJECT: SUICIDE ATTACKS SHAKE RAWALPINDI
REF: PESHAWAR 575
Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 003857
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2017
TAGS: PTER PGOV PK
SUBJECT: SUICIDE ATTACKS SHAKE RAWALPINDI
REF: PESHAWAR 575
Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: On September 4, 31 people were killed and 67
injured in two separate suicide bomb attacks on government
targets in Islamabad's neighboring city of Rawalpindi. In the
short-term these attacks and the kidnapping (reftel) of
Frontier Corps soldiers in Waziristan will undermine public
confidence in the government/military. It is too soon to
predict whether these attacks will build public support for
actions against militants in the long term. Security and
checkpoints have been increased throughout Rawalpindi and
Islamabad. All mission staff are safe and accounted for. End
Summary.
2. (U) In the early morning hours of September 4, two
successive bombs went off in the downtown area of
Rawalpindi. The first bomb went off near Qasim Market at 7:17
am, targeting a bus carrying Defense Ministry staff.
The second blast occurred minutes later in RA Bazaar.
Security personnel immediately cordoned off the areas and
rescue workers and army personnel moved in to help the
injured and wounded. The attacks left 31 people dead and 67
people injured.
3. (C) Authorities confirm that the large blasts were suicide
attacks, though there is some disagreement whether
both or one of the blasts were suicide bombings. Government
officials have put Rawalpindi and neighboring Islamabad on
high alert, with increased security checkpoints and hospitals
on standby. The district government of Rawalpindi
has condemned the attacks and announced a full investigation
into the incident. Officials are claiming that the bombers
had direct contacts with tribal militants, which is supported
by their targeting of government officials.
4. (C) Comment: Suicide attacks in Rawalpindi have brought
what is often described as tribal violence directly to the
heart of Pakistan's military establishment. After the initial
spate of post-Red Mosque attacks, August had been relatively
quiet in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Yesterday's bombings are a
stark reminder that the daily insecurity and violence that
plague the tribal areas, make Pakistan's settled areas
increasingly vulnerable as well. End Comment.
PATTERSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2017
TAGS: PTER PGOV PK
SUBJECT: SUICIDE ATTACKS SHAKE RAWALPINDI
REF: PESHAWAR 575
Classified By: Anne W. Patterson, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Summary: On September 4, 31 people were killed and 67
injured in two separate suicide bomb attacks on government
targets in Islamabad's neighboring city of Rawalpindi. In the
short-term these attacks and the kidnapping (reftel) of
Frontier Corps soldiers in Waziristan will undermine public
confidence in the government/military. It is too soon to
predict whether these attacks will build public support for
actions against militants in the long term. Security and
checkpoints have been increased throughout Rawalpindi and
Islamabad. All mission staff are safe and accounted for. End
Summary.
2. (U) In the early morning hours of September 4, two
successive bombs went off in the downtown area of
Rawalpindi. The first bomb went off near Qasim Market at 7:17
am, targeting a bus carrying Defense Ministry staff.
The second blast occurred minutes later in RA Bazaar.
Security personnel immediately cordoned off the areas and
rescue workers and army personnel moved in to help the
injured and wounded. The attacks left 31 people dead and 67
people injured.
3. (C) Authorities confirm that the large blasts were suicide
attacks, though there is some disagreement whether
both or one of the blasts were suicide bombings. Government
officials have put Rawalpindi and neighboring Islamabad on
high alert, with increased security checkpoints and hospitals
on standby. The district government of Rawalpindi
has condemned the attacks and announced a full investigation
into the incident. Officials are claiming that the bombers
had direct contacts with tribal militants, which is supported
by their targeting of government officials.
4. (C) Comment: Suicide attacks in Rawalpindi have brought
what is often described as tribal violence directly to the
heart of Pakistan's military establishment. After the initial
spate of post-Red Mosque attacks, August had been relatively
quiet in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Yesterday's bombings are a
stark reminder that the daily insecurity and violence that
plague the tribal areas, make Pakistan's settled areas
increasingly vulnerable as well. End Comment.
PATTERSON