Bomb Explosion in Islamabad - March 17, 2002

The police in Pakistan report that the wife and daughter of an American diplomat were among the five people killed today due to grenade explosions that were thrown inside a Protestant church. This church is located in the diplomatic area of Islamabad. The police stated that during the Sunday morning worship service, which was attended by about 70 people, at least two explosions shook the church. Families of foreign and Pakistani diplomats were among the participants in the church service, which is near the U.S. Embassy. As a result of the explosions, five people were killed and 45 were injured, some of whom are in critical condition. Among the deceased are two Americans, one Afghan, and one Pakistani, while the nationality of the fifth victim is unknown. So far, no one has been arrested, and no one has claimed responsibility for the attack. A spokesperson for the Pakistani police told Voice of America that it is unclear whether the attacker is among the dead or injured. General Pervez Musharraf, the President of Pakistan, condemned the attack as a despicable terrorist act and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.