President Mushararf reveals those behind last year's assassination bid on him
(Updated at 2020 PST)
ISLAMABAD—President Pervez Musharraf has disclosed that people from within the Pakistan army and air force at a junior level were involved in an assassination attempt on him in December last year and most of them are now in custody.
“Well there are some people in uniform, junior level, people in uniform, airforce and army but they are very small,” Musharraf said.
In an exclusive interview with Geo’s talk show “Follow Up With Fahd” recorded at Army House residence in Rawalpindi and to be aired today (Thursday) at 10.05 p.m (PST), General Musharraf said these personnel of the armed forces would be tried in a military court. The proceedings, he said, would be open.
The President was referring to the attempt on his life in December 2003 when a bridge on his route was blown up seconds after his motorcade passed over it. Musharraf said no senior officers were involved in the attempt on his life. He said that more people in the armed forces were under watch and may be picked up if their involvement in the attack was proved.
“We have investigated everything, we exactly know who is involved we know the entire picture of both the actions, and exact the names, we know their faces, their identities, their families, we know everything,” Musharraf said.
President Musharraf told the host of the show Fahd Husain that the explosives used in the attack were taken from the Tribal Areas to Multan and then brought to Islamabad. He said the government knew exactly how the two attacks on him were planned and executed.
“Those who are directly involved are under arrest, those who are indirectly
involved we are watching some also…If at all we get to them yes they will be picked up if they have a direct connection,” the President said.
He said they had also identified the mastermind behind these attacks, and that he was a Pakistani.
“The only persons still out there are this mastermind; one is the mastermind who thought of the idea, then the mastermind who planned. Now that man is still at large and we will get him.” Musharraf said.
Al-Qaeda, Islamist extremists possibly behind Twin Karachi bombing
(Updated at 1950 PST)
KARA HI: Federal Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayyat said Thursday that involvement of foreign hands and al-Qaeda in the Wednesday’s twin blast in Karachi cannot be ruled out.
This he said while talking to reporters after presiding over a meeting over Karachi’s law and order situation held here at the headquarter of Pakistan Rangers Sindh.
The meeting reviewed effort aimed at strengthening mutual relationships and exchange of intelligence.
“The Wednesday’s lethal blasts that killed one persons and injured other 26 is apparent reaction to Pakistan’s role in the US led global war on terror”, said Mr. Saleh Hayyat.
The government has reaffirmed its pledge to go on with its anti-terrorism role in the global war and would never compromise on it, come what may, he told.
Pakistan suspects Al-Qaeda behind Wednesday blasts: Rashid
(Updated at 1820 PST)
KARACHI: Pakistani authorities said Thursday they suspected a network of Islamic militants, possibly aided by Al-Qaeda, were behind a double car bomb attack near a US consul's residence in which a policeman was killed and 32 people injured.
Two bombs exploded less than half an hour apart Wednesday afternoon in front of the Pakistan American Cultural Center, a private English school, and some 100 meters (yards) from the US Consul General's residence in the southern port city of Karachi. No one has been arrested so far. "Al-Qaeda maybe had a role," Pakistani Information Minister Sheikh Rashid informed.
"Such an organised attack cannot be just by local people. The attackers were real experts and operated in a very technical way." |
