News Update Service
Thursday, December 25, 2003
Musharraf survives second bid on life
Islamabad, Dec 25. (PTI): Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today survived yet another attempt on his life, the second in 10 days, when two explosions occurred in Rawalpindi, seconds after his convoy passed.
At least seven persons are said to be dead as a result of the blasts.
Televison channels reported that the President was safe and sound after the explosions which took place 10 seconds after he had crossed the spot.
The explosions, which took place almost at the same place where he had survived an attempt on his life on December 14, could have been triggered by suicide bombers.
The explosions occurred in quick succession near a gas station, about two km away from Musharraf's Army House residence, at around 1:45 p.m. (2:15 p.m. IST).
One report said a huge bomb hidden in a pick-up truck exploded.
Muhammad Naeem of the Edhi Welfare Center told reporters that 16 persons were injured, some of them critically.
There was no official confirmation of the dead.
The blasts also destroyed two petrol pump stations and smashed windows of the nearby buildings, witnesses said.
They said that troops and police rushed to the site and blocked roads and diverted traffic to other routes.
No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts.
State television PTV announced that Musharraf escaped an attempt on his life and that he was safe.
The government would make a statement shortly.
The dead appeared to be mostly passers-by, witnesses said, adding that they saw body parts scattered at the spot.
Copyright © 2003, The Hindu.