Musharraf says he will not be scared by terrorists

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, December 27, 2003

Musharraf says he will not be scared by terrorists

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Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who narrowly survived a suicide attack, said on Thursday evening that he can not be scared by terrorist attack and expressed his determination to fight against terrorism and extremism.

In an interview with the official Pakistan TV (PTV), Musharraf termed those who attacked him on Thursday afternoon "terrorists and extremists."

"They are terrorists and extremists. This is an act ofterrorism and I am shocked over the killing of 14 people. I am responsible for their killing since I was the target," said Musharraf.

"I'll continue my missions and root out terrorists and extremists. I'm not scared. I'll challenge them," said Musharraf,stressing that the attack helped strengthen his determination tofight against terrorism and extremism.

He condemned the attacks but did not single out any groups,only saying they are harming Pakistan and defaming the Islam andthe Muslim nation.

He added there is no threat to the coming 12th summit of the South Asian Alliance for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) slated forJan. 4-6 in Islamabad since the attacks were targeting him. Also speaking to PTV in the evening, Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali strongly condemned the attacks against Musharraf,describing them as an "act of terrorism" and vowing to continuethe fight against terrorism and extremism.

Earlier Thursday, Musharraf survived a second assassination attempt in Rawalpindi, twin city of Islamabad, in less than twoweeks, which killed at least 14 people including two suicide attackers and three policemen and wounded more than 40 others.

Musharraf was returning from Islamabad after speaking at acommittee meeting of the Organization of Islamic Conference andtwo powerful blasts occurred two kilometers from the IslamabadInternational Airport near the outskirts of Rawalpindi, where heand his family live.

On the evening of Dec. 14, Musharraf's convoy passed over a bridge one minute before a powerful bomb went off and damaged thebridge, leaving no casualties.

Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, Musharraf has been the target of terrorists for his cooperation with the US-led anti-terror efforts and escaped several assassination bids.

However, speculations indicated that domestic militants might be involved in Thursday's attacks after Musharraf said earlier this month that his country was ready to leave aside the UN resolutions to hold a plebiscite in the disputed Kashmir to determine its status.

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