ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN - Five Americans, including U.S. Embassy personnel, were injured in a bomb blast Saturday at an Islamabad restaurant that's a favorite dining spot for foreigners.
A Turkish woman was killed and 11 people were injured, including British, Canadian and Japanese diners as well as two or three Pakistanis.
Bewildered bloodied patrons stumbled out in the blast's aftermath, clothes shredded, their skin lacerated. Some shouted the names of friends or family.
It was the first bombing to target foreigners in a yearlong wave of violence by Islamic extremists in Pakistan that has focused almost exclusively on Pakistani Army, police and government officials.
Islamabad already was on a high state of alert for Monday's convening of a new parliament following elections last month.
The blast was not a suicide bombing, police and bystanders said. That too was unusual, given the heavy reliance on suicide attacks -- a calling card of Al-Qaida -- in the current wave of violence.
The restaurant, Luna Caprese, serves Italian food and is known for openly selling alcohol in a country where alcohol is prohibited.
MCCLATCHY NEWS SERVICE