Pakistani police thwart attack on PM

Reuters ^ | 1 April 2004 | Unknown

[Cap Huff]

Thu 1 April, 2004 09:07

KARACHI (Reuters) - Pakistani police say they have foiled a plan to assassinate Prime Minister Zafarullah Khan Jamali in the port city of Karachi, arresting a member of an outlawed Islamic militant group with explosives. "The big target was the prime minister," Police Inspector Amjad Kayani told Reuters.

The man, found with about six kg (12 lb) of explosives, a hand grenade, several detonators and bomb making material, had planned to plant a bomb under a bridge, he said.

Jamali had arrived in Karachi on Wednesday for a two-day visit. He was due to leave later on Thursday. President Pervez Musharraf survived two bomb assassination attempts in December.

Police arrested Naeem Baloch of outlawed Islamic militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi early on Thursday, said Muneer Sheikh, a police bomb disposal official.

Lashkar-e-Jhangvi is linked to high-profile terror attacks in Pakistan on Western targets, government officials and religious minorities, including Shi'ite Muslims and Christians.

In February, police said they had foiled an assault planned by two key Lashkar-e-Jhangvi militants in Karachi.

[Cap Huff]

FYI

[Dog]

Mush better hurry getting these guys.... instead of staging raids that don't stand a chance of succeeding.

[Coop]

Wouldn't wanna be that terrorist. I have a feeling the police will be coaxing him to cooperate with their efforts.

[Cap Huff]

Hope so.

[swarthyguy]

Funny they'd go after the PM; he is a member of the religious alliance, MMA. One would think he's more sympathetic to jihadis than Mush. Unless he's been turned by the US and has given up his jihadi ways.

[Cap Huff]

It is interesting. I can't explain it.