Pakistan

Taliban likely to be behind Danish bombing

Article published on the 2008-06-02 Latest update 2008-06-03 09:19 TU

Policemen carry a bomb blast victim outside the Danish embassy.
Credit: Reuters

Pakistani Taliban militants are likely to have carried out a suicide bomb attack on the Danish embassy in Islamabad, in revenge for controversial cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed first published in Danish newspapers in 2005, say officials. At least six people were killed in the blast, which severely damaged the embassy and the adjoining building and destroyed several cars, setting fire to others.

Among the dead are two policemen who were stationed outside the building.

Danish Foreign Minister Per Stig Moeller said the eight Danes in the embassy in Pakistan were not injured.

Calling the act "unacceptable", Moeller told Danish television: "I of course condemn this attack. It is terrible that terrorists commit such acts."

Klaus Holme, spokesman for the Danish foreign ministry in Denmark, told RFI there are no plans to close down the embassy permanently.

"The embassy is still there, the remains of it, if you want. And it's still operational."

"We haven't heard anything about the people, organisations or others who have claim to be responsible," said Holme.

Only essential staff were at the Danish embassy at the time of the blast as Denmark had moved out most foreign staff after receiving threats in February.

A series of cartoons published in a Danish newspaper in 2005 sparked protests from angry muslims across the world. Diplomats were recalled and Danish embassies were attacked worldwide.