Windows shattered at the villa located in the Mansour central residential neighborhood when the missiles totally destroyed the pavilions of the international fair complex, he said.

The metallic bars of several windows in the residence fell off due to the powerful bombings, said Mohammed Bashir Khan, an administrative employee at the Pakistani embassy.

Bashir Khan said "nobody was injured since all diplomats have already left."

"This is a dangerous act against a diplomatic representation, and which is located in a residential neighborhood," he added.

Several pavilions at the Baghdad International Fairgrounds were reduced to rubble.

At least one person was killed and dozens injured in the airstrike that also destroyed a nearby maternity ward, a pharmacy and a flower shop.

Pakistan closed its embassy in Baghdad March 17, three days before the start of the US-led war to oust President Saddam Hussein.

SPACE.WIRE