Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Musharraf narrowly escapes suicide blasts

IRNA

Islamabad, Dec 25, IRNA -- Pakistani President General Pervez 
Musharraf on Thursday narrowly survived two suicide car blasts in 
Rawalpindi, cabinet spokesman Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad said. 
"The president is safe and his live address to the nation will 
kill all rumors and assumptions," he told the Geo TV channel. 
General Musharraf was on his way to Rawalpindi from Islamabad, 
when "the first car barged into the president`s motorcade from a 
petrol pump and was detonated," he described the scene. 
"In few seconds, a second car came out from another petrol pump 
and tried to hit the caravan and was exploded too." 
Three cars of the caravan were destroyed in the attack, he added. 
Military and police have surrounded the area. 
Meanwhile, Director General of Pakistan`s Inter-Services Public 
Relations, Major General Shaukat Sultan, confirmed that the Thursday 
blasts were an attempt on the country`s president. 
He said that two cars blasted, after trying to hit President 
Musharraf`s convoy, close to a police station and two petrol pumps in 
Rawalpindi. 
To may knowledge, six people were killed and two injured, he 
said. 
Initial reports put the causality number at seven dead and 18 
others injured. Three of the dead are reportedly from among the 
traffic police. 
The military spokesman said that the blasts were suicide attacks 
and that the windscreen of President Musharraf`s car was damaged. 
ISPR chief also said that President Musharraf was safe and sound. 
On December 14, a strong explosion damaged a bridge from where 
President Musharraf`s motorcade passed seconds before. 
Musharraf described it an attempt on his life. 
TSH/BH/215 
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