The Hindu : International : Pakistani masterminded attacks: Musharraf

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 28, 2004

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International

Pakistani masterminded attacks: Musharraf

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, MAY 27. The Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf, has claimed that "some junior officers" in the army and air force plotted to kill him in December last year and most of them are now in custody.

In an interview to a private television channel, Geo, Gen. Musharraf said both the attempts on his life in December last year were well organised and coordinated. The first attempt was made on December 14 and the second on December 25, days before the SAARC Summit.

Gen. Musharraf's claim confirms the suspicions that some elements in the army are agitated over his cooperation with the U.S. in the so-called war against terrorism.

At a meeting of tribal elders in Peshawar last month, Gen. Musharraf pointed the finger at the Al-Qaeda for the attempts on his life. His latest comments suggest that in his assessment certain elements in the military were in league with Al-Qaeda fugitives sheltered in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. In the interview to be aired tonight, Gen. Musharraf said the guilty would be tried in an open military court. His reference was to the attempt on his life on December 25, 2003 when a bridge on his route was blown up seconds after his motorcade passed by. He told the TV channel that more people in the armed forces were under watch and might be picked up if their involvement was proved.

Gen. Musharraf said 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. He said the mastermind behind these attacks, a Pakistani, had been identified.

Gen. Musharraf said some of the guilty officers were not religiously motivated, but some took part for money. He said senior level officers were not involved in the conspiracy.

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