Suicide attacker rocks Musharraf's office

A suicide bomber killed five people near the offices of Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf today.

The attack heightened fears for the country’s stability as it prepares for crucial parliamentary elections under a growing threat from Islamic militants.

The bomb went off at a checkpoint in Rawalpindi less than half a mile from Army House where President Musharraf was staying.

Police said the lone bomber walked up to the checkpoint guarding the road leading to Mr Musharraf’s office and the homes of top generals and blew himself up.

Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao said two police officers and three civilians were killed and 11 other people, including five police officers, were wounded.

Women and children aboard a passing minibus were among the dead and wounded.

No-one has yet claimed responsibility but Pakistan has been rocked by a string of suicide bombings mostly blamed on Islamic extremists.

An attack on the homecoming parade of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto earlier this month in the southern city of Karachi killed more than 140 people.

In Rawalpindi, a garrison city just south of the capital Islamabad, two blasts in September killed 25 people and wounded more than 60.

The surge in attacks in major cities has followed Mr Musharraf’s decision in July to crack down on militants tightening their grip on areas along the Afghan frontier.

US officials warn that the area has become a haven for Taliban militants fighting in Afghanistan and that al-Qaida’s leadership may be regrouping there.

Mr Musharraf, who has survived at least three attempts on his life, is widely expected to join forces with Mrs Bhutto in a US-friendly alliance after January’s parliamentary elections.