Pakistani president, PM condemn airport attack

Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz condemned the Tuesday night's attack at Islamabad airport, with Musharraf terming it an "act of cowardice", according to an official statement issued on Wednesday.

An armed man who tried to force his way into the VIP lounge at the Islamabad airport died on Tuesday when a grenade he was carrying exploded during an exchange of fire with security personnel, according to reports.

At least three personnel of the Airport Security Force and police were injured in the firing and the explosion.

The president and prime minister paid tribute to security officials for their bravery, for they saved the airport from a grand incident, and they also prayed for the well-being of injured security officials.

Tuesday's terrorist attack came as the security alert has been put high across the country. Series attacks were seen in the capital city Islamabad and northwest areas in the past weeks, which resulted in scores of casualties.

A suspected suicide bomber blew himself up outside a luxury hotel in Islamabad on Jan. 26, killing a guard and causing serious injuries to five others. The man was stopped by the hotel guard while trying to enter the hotel through a side entrance.

Authorities have launched investigations into the incidents, and so far it is not publicly known who and what kind of connections are behind these attacks.

Source: Xinhua