Security guard killed in suicide attack on Pak Naval headquarters

Islamabad, Dec.2 (ANI): A suicide bomber blew himself up outside Pakistan's naval headquarters in Islamabad on Wednesday killing a guard and injuring two navy soldiers.

The attack comes a day after U.S. President Barack Obama announced a dramatic escalation in the war in Afghanistan, a move Pakistani officials fear will push militants across its borders and complicate the army's struggle against the Taliban.

The guard was killed as he tried to prevent the bomber from entering the naval headquarters, according to Fazeel Asghar, chief commissioner of Islamabad.

Asghar told reporters the attacker, who was wearing a coat, was asked to take it off and show identification. As he opened the coat the suicide vest exploded killing the security guard on the spot.

Hundreds of people have been killed in bombings across the country since the military launched an all out offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan, their stronghold.

President Obama, while announcing a revamped Afghan strategy, said the United States would not tolerate Pakistan allowing its territory to be a safe haven for militants and urged Islamabad to fight the 'cancer' of extremism.

Outlining a plan to send 30,000 additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan, Obama said what was needed was a strategy that works on both sides of the border. (ANI)