Bombs defused near prime location in Islamabad

Islamabad, Oct 5 (UNI) Pakistani security officials defused two rockets near Parliament lodges here today hours after a major blast occurred in close vicinity to President Pervez Musharraf's residence.

''Both the rockets were defused by Pakistan Army bomb disposal officials and a mobile phone, which was found attached with the rockets, taken into custody,'' private Geo TV quoted senior police officials as saying.

Security was put on high alert as rockets were found with the help of sniffer dogs in an area, which is very close to the President house, Parliament house, Supreme Court of Pakistan, Prime Minister's secretariat and Foreign Office.

Police cordoned off the area immediately after officials reached the site. At least eighty labourers working in the close vicinity were arrested for questioning.

Rockets were found hours after a major blast that occurred in the Rawalpindi's biggest public park, in close proximity to President Pervez Musharraf's official residence.

Within minutes of the explosion, a heavy contingent of the army, elite police commandos and intelligence officials reached Ayub Park, blocking its three entrances and disallowing anyone from entering or leaving the place.

Some big Army vehicles, including trucks having the facility to collect and carry unexploded bombs, were seen moving inside the park, indicating the presence of unspecified amount of explosive material inside.

However, officials refused to disclose details of the blast and whether it was a bomb or a missile.

A security official, on condition of anoynimity, told Dawn that the explosion was caused by a bomb while a huge quantity of other explosives failed to detonate.

As rumours gripped the country of another abortive bid on the life of the President, the military was quick to dispel the impression.

However, senior officials, including chief military spokesman denied the explosions had anything to do with the President.

Gen Musharraf surived twin assassination attempts in Rawalpindi in December 2003, which killed more than 16 people.

UNI XC KD KN1857