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'Dark forces' bomb Danish embassy in Pakistan

By The Copenhagen Post

Published 02.06.08 00:00

Fatalities have been reported after a bomb explodee outside the Danish embassy in Pakistan's capital of Islamabad

At least eight people have been reported dead and dozens wounded after an explosion outside Denmark's embassy in Pakistan, reports Danish television news TV2, citing local sources.

A Pakistani cleaner at the embassy died and three more Pakistani employees were wounded. No Danes were injured in the attack, the Danish foreign ministry said.

Per Stig Møller, the foreign minister, blamed the attack on 'dark forces that want to destroy Pakistan's relationship with others'.

'We will not give them that victory,' he said at a press conference in Copenhagen. He that the relationship between the Danish and Pakistani governments is as strong as ever, saying that the bombing 'is also an attack against Pakistan's government and their security people'.

The minister said that both governments are working together to find out who is behind the attack.

Other embassies in relevant countries have been put on alert and their security is being reviewed as a result of today's event, he said.

The explosion caused extensive damage to the embassy wall and nearby cars. Large back clouds of smoke could be seen high above Islamabad.

The embassy has 16 people employed in Islamabad, three of whom are Danish.

The charge d'affaires and highest ranking Dane at the embassy, Michael Hjortsø, was not present at the time of the attack.

The Norwegian and Swedish embassies in Islamabad have been closed and staff are being evacuated from the former, Danish television news DR said.

A number of Danish embassies in Muslim countries were threatened after Danish newspapers reprinted a cartoon depicting the prophet Mohammed in February.

The cartoon is offensive to Muslims and caused worldwide protests when it was first published in 2005.

The Danish foreign ministry advised against travel to Pakistan and recommended that all Danes currently in Pakistan remain vigilant. (KR)