ISLAMABAD: The US embassy has stopped its staff from visiting Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel due to fears of an attack.

Some other embassies have also advised their staff and citizens in the federal capital to restrict their movement for some time, especially until Jan 1.

According to an alert uploaded on the US embassy’s website, all government employees have been prohibited from visiting the Marriott Hotel.

“The US government is aware of information that unknown individuals are possibly plotting to attack Americans at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad sometime during the holidays.

“Effective immediately, the embassy in Islamabad is prohibiting all American staff from visiting Islamabad’s Marriott Hotel. Furthermore, as Islamabad has been placed on a red alert citing security concerns while banning all public gatherings, the embassy is urging all mission personnel to refrain from non-essential, unofficial travel in Islamabad throughout the holiday season,” the embassy stated.

It advised embassy personnel to exercise vigilance at events, places of worship, and to avoid places with large crowds.

“Review personal security plans, carry identification and follow requests from law enforcement, be aware of surroundings and monitor local media for updates,” the statement said. The advice came in the wake of a suicide bombing in the federal capital on Friday (Dec 23) which claimed the lives of a policeman and a taxi driver.

According to the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), it was the first suicide attack in the capital since 2014.

A total of 165 people lost their lives and over 600 were injured in 18 suicide attacks in the city from 2005 to 2014.

The last suicide attack took place in March 2014 when two persons blew themselves up in the Judicial Complex at F-8 sector.

“The PICSS militancy database shows the first suicide bombing in Islamabad after 9/11 was carried out in May 2005. Prior to 9/11, the only suicide bombing in Islamabad was an attack against the Egyptian embassy in 1995,” according to the think tank.

The country has seen 504 suicide attacks over the last 22 years. A total of 6,748 people were killed and 15,111 injured in these attacks.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2022