SITREP 05, AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD: DEATH TOLL RISES;

C O N F I D E N T I A L ISLAMABAD 003096 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018 TAGS: PGOV PK PREL AMGT CACS ASEC PTER PINR SUBJECT: SITREP 05, AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD: DEATH TOLL RISES; POST OPERATIONS RESUME; MOI BLAMES TTP REF: ISLAMABAD 3080 Classified By: Anne W. Patterson for reasons 1.4 (b),(d). ¶1. (C) As of September 22, 1800 hours (local),two Embassy personnel are confirmed deceased, one remains missing. One Embassy contractor remains at Shifa Hospital, Islamabad, for observation; one Embassy official was mil medevaced at 0100 hours. ¶2. (C) In total, approximately 95 Pakistanis and foreign nationals are still at four local hospitals; 176 have been treated and released. Authorities continue to search the Marriott Hotel for victims and remains. ¶3. (C) Embassy's Consular Section issued September 21 emergency passports for two official Americans for emergency medevac purposes, and on September 22, emergency passports for four official Americans and for two private American citizens. Post returned to normal operating status September 22 (Monday),but restictions which bar all U.S. Embassy personnel from restaurants and allow shopping only for necessary items remain in effect. Islambad remains quiet as clean-up operations at the Marriott continue; part of the Marriott building was still smoldering. Local police have blocked Constitution Avenue from through traffic. ¶4. (C) Interior Minister Rehman Malik called the Ambassador September 22 early morning to relay reports that 11 suicide bombers departed from the tribal areas for unspecified locations. Malik criticized the emergency response to the September 20 Marriott bombing and expressed his committment to augment Islamabad Police around the capital with paramilitary Rangers. Malik added he plans to increase security around the diplomatic enclave, where the Embassy is located, after conducting a spot check there on Sunday night. ¶5. (C) Malik claimed to have tried to dispel a September 21 The International News article that rumored the attack had targeted alleged "top secret" activities by U.S. Marines at the Marriott; Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani has also denounced such reports. The News printed a front-page clarification after Embassy intervention with the editor. While noting the attack investigations were underway, Malik stated in a September 21 press conference: "All roads lead to the FATA," suggesting that the South Waziristan-based Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and/or al-Qaeda conducted the attack. PM Gilani is quoted as saying the GOP would accept help with the investigation from the FBI "if needed." ¶6. (SBU) Local editorials continue to condemn the attack, calling it Pakistan's 9/11 and urging those Pakistanis who previously have opposed military action against the militants to see the light. PATTERSON