RAWALPINDI, Pakistan — President Pervez Musharraf narrowly survived an assassination attempt here on Sunday night when a large bomb detonated on a bridge 30 seconds after his motorcade had crossed.
Visibly shaken, Musharraf appeared on state television and described what was by far the most serious attempt on his life since he sided with the United States in the campaign against terrorism in September 2001.
"The bomb exploded half a minute after I crossed," Musharraf said. "I felt the explosion in my car. That is all I know. Certainly it was me who was targeted."
The location of the assassination attempt was unusual: Rawalpindi lies near the nerve center of Pakistan's military establishment. It is considered one of the most secure cities in the country.