Taliban claims responsibility for U.N. blast

ISLAMABAD (AP) — Taliban militants claimed responsibility Tuesday for the deadly suicide bombing at the U.N. food agency’s heavily fortified compound in Islamabad, saying international relief work in Pakistan was not in “the interest of Muslims.”

The attack, which killed five workers for the World Food Program on Monday, pushed the U.N. to temporarily close its offices in the country. It also exposed the vulnerability of international relief agencies helping millions of Pakistanis ahead of an anticipated military offensive against the Taliban in their South Waziristan stronghold.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the Taliban carried out the bombing to avenge the Aug. 5 slaying of their leader, Baitullah Mehsud, in a U.S. drone attack and that the country “should expect a few more” attacks.

Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq confirmed his group was behind the bombing and lashed out at foreign aid workers.

“We proudly claim responsibility for the suicide attack at the U.N. office in Islamabad. We will send more bombers for such attacks,” he told the Associated Press by telephone from an undisclosed location. “The U.N. and other foreign (aid groups) are not working in the interest of Muslims. We are watching their activities. They are infidels.”

He said the Taliban would not attack Muslim relief groups, but that future targets would also include Pakistani security officials, government offices and American installations.

World Food Program spokesman Amjad Jamal defended the agency’s work as “totally humanitarian.”

“We provide food. Our food is for the vulnerable groups, the poor groups who cannot afford one meal a day,” he said.

Pakistani religious scholar Mufti Muneebur Rehman disputed the Taliban claim that international aid work was against Islam.

“Helping somebody in need is one of the best traits of Islam,” he said. “A good Muslim would be the first to help any non-Muslim in trouble.”

The suicide bomber was dressed as a security officer and was allowed to enter the World Food Program offices — apparently bypassing the normal security procedures — after asking guards outside if he could use the bathroom.

The U.N. announced it was temporarily closing its offices, but said its Pakistani partner organizations would continue distributing food, medicine and other humanitarian assistance. The world body said it would reassess the situation over the next several days.

Malik, who was visiting those injured in the bombing at a hospital, said the government had taken several of the guards outside the U.N. offices into custody for questioning as part of the investigation into the security lapse.

The United Nations had already considered itself a likely target in Pakistan. Its offices are surrounded by blast walls, while staffers are driven in bulletproof cars and not allowed to bring their families with them on assignment.

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said those killed in the bombing Monday were serving a “noble cause.”

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