Monday, Dec 15, 2003
Musharraf escapes bid on life
Islamabad Dec. 14. The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, tonight escaped an assassination bid when a powerful bomb went off minutes after his highly guarded convoy crossed a bridge in Rawalpindi, near here.
The Pakistan Defence Ministry spokesman, Shoukat Sultan, told media persons here that Gen. Musharraf was safe and there was no casualty.
The bridge was partially damaged.
The Information Minister, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, said Gen. Musharraf was returning to his residence at the Army House in Rawalpindi from the city's airport after a visit to Karachi.
The blast, which took place at the Jhanda Chachi bridge near Chaklal airport, was so close that Gen. Musharraf himself heard it even as his convoy was driven to safety.
Several residents in the area reported that the window panes of their houses broke under the impact of the explosion.
— PTI
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