Pakistan PM survives assassination attempt

ISLAMABAD: Gunshots hit an armoured limousine used by Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday as his motorcade rolled to the airport in Rawalpindi, where he was to arrive from an official visit, officials said.
 
"Two bullets hit the vehicle's front side window but only caused cracks in the ballistic glass," said Zahid Bashir, a spokesman for Gilani.
 
Initially, officials described the incident as an assassination attempt on Gilani's life. The statement by Information Minister Sherry Rehman that the premier "safely reached his office in Islamabad" gave credence to apprehensions that Gilani was in the vehicle when the gunshots were fired.
 
"The prime minister was not in the vehicle when the attack took place," said Kamal Shah, a senior official of the Pakistani interior ministry.
 
According to Shah, members of the prime minister's security entourage escaped the attack. He said security was "a bit relaxed" as the prime minister was not part of the motorcade.
 
Television footage showed two bullet markings on the driver's side window.
 
The incident happened on the primary route used by dignitaries to shuttle between the capital Islamabad and Rawalpindi, where the military has its headquarters.
 
No group claimed the responsibility for the attack.
 
Gilani represents the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which is under great pressure from militant groups for using force to tackle growing violence in the north-western tribal regions.
 
The security forces are fighting militants on three fronts but have announced a unilateral ceasefire to honour the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.