Pervez Musharraf escapes assassination attempt

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's former military dictator Pervez Musharraf, facing treason trial, today narrowly escaped an assassination attempt when a powerful bomb went off near his farmhouse here minutes after his convoy had passed.

The blast took place between Faizabad and Rawal Dam Chowk 20-25 minutes after Musharraf's convoy passed through the route at about 3 am when he was being shifted to his heavily guarded farmhouse from Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology in Rawalpindi where he was admitted for the last three months.

He was unhurt, but officials said the blast caused about a foot deep hole in the ground.The police claimed that the 70-year-old former president was the target.

"The blast took place about 20 minutes after Musharraf reached the farmhouse. By God's grace, he is safe," Aasia Ishaque, spokesperson of Musharraf's APML party, told PTI.She said it was the responsibility of the government to provide security to the former army chief who remains on the hit-list of various terror groups.

Islamabad police confirmed to PTI that the blast took place after Musharraf had taken the route. "The blast took place 25 minutes after Musharraf drove past," a source said.A bomb disposal squad was called in at the blast site - three kilometers from Musharraf's sprawling Chak Shehzad farmhouse on the outskirts of the city.

The bomb was planted in a drainage pipe adjacent to the footpath. TV footages showed a small crater adjacent to the footpath.There was no immediate claim of responsibility. While initially the traffic was stopped, it was resumed soon after.

A case regarding has been registered against unknown persons in the Secretariat Police Station.Since Musharraf is under threat from terror groups, heavy security has been given to him and all his routes are thoroughly checked before he gets out. Sent at 5:25 PM on Thursday.