Islamabad Terror Attack Kills 50+, Taliban and Al Qaeda Blamed

The death toll from yesterday's massive terror attack in Islamabad continues climbing as rescuers continue going through the remains of the Marriott Hotel in downtown Islamabad. A massive truck bomb detonated at the security checkpoint set up at the hotel, leaving a 30 foot crater and setting fires throughout the hotel complex. More than 50 were killed and 250 injured.

The Pakistani government accuses the Taliban and al Qaeda of carrying out the attack. I still think that Baitullah Mehsud is likely responsible as a way of sending a message to President Zardari and the the government to back off trying to rein in the terrorists/Islamists.

UPDATE:
Bill Roggio, who has been following the situation in Pakistan as closely as anyone for the past few years, puts this attack into context and provides additional details about the attack.

Apparently there were http://www.geo.tv/9-21-2008/25309.htm, not one. One smaller vehicle was used to breach the security perimeter, and the second vehicle, the truck carrying the heavy explosives then detonated. That bomb then destroyed a gas main, spreading the carnage even further. Fires still rage in the complex and there's a fear of the building collapsing. Buildings well away from the explosion were badly damaged.

Also yesterday, 10 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a suicide bombing in Warizistan, and that attack is in the region controlled by Mehsud.

UPDATE:
The BBC has video showing the initial explosion at the security perimeter, and then shows the effects of the massive bomb that came moments later.

CCTV footage shows an explosives-laden lorry ram the security gate. Shots are fired and flames are seen in the cabin moments before the vehicle explodes.

Most of the dead were Pakistani. The Czech ambassador was among at least four foreigners killed.

US and Vietnamese citizens were also killed in the blast, in which at least a dozen foreign nationals were wounded. The Danish foreign ministry said one of its diplomats was missing.

Six Britons and an unknown number of Saudi, German, Moroccan, Afghan and US citizens, were among those hurt. Funerals of those killed have begun to be held in Islamabad. However, there are fears that more bodies will be found as rescue teams move deeper into the hotel.