Islamabad, Pakistan, September 20, 2008--Flames gut the Islamabad Marriott after a September 20 bomb blast killed at least 53 people and wounded 266.

Most of the dead were Pakistani nationals but several foreigners--including the Czech ambassador--were also killed.

Suicide bombers rammed a truck packed with explosives into the security gate at the city's most prestigious hotel. The explosives detonated as a gunfight broke out with security personnel.

New Pakistani president Asif Ali Zardari branded the Islamist militants responsible for the attack as "cowards."