Islamic fundamentalists from the PAF implicated in plot to kill Musharraf

Musharraf-attack explosive was stolen from PAF depot

LAHORE: The remote-controlled explosive device used in an attempt on President Pervez Musharraf’s life in Rawalpindi in December 2003 was stolen from an arms depot of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), sources told Daily Times on Thursday. President Musharraf had just passed a bridge near Chaklala Scheme III when an explosive device was detonated by remote control. [b]Weapons experts, after examining the shrapnel, found that the device had been used by PAF and it was found missing from the depot that stored expired ammunition. An airman, who had strong religious inclination, was arrested, sources said, adding that he had admitted stealing the explosive device. The airman was a regular listener of dars (sermons) in PAF mosques.[/b] Such sermons have been banned since. After the airman’s arrest, all PAF personnel with strong religious inclination have come under scrutiny, sources said. [b]They said that dozens of PAF men had been court-martialled for suspected links with banned militant outfits, while many awaited trial. A similar exercise is being done in the army and navy, sources said.[/b] After a murderous attempt on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz during his election campaign last year, a circular was issued that any staff with affiliation to a religious outfit or party or having “strong religious inclination” will be transferred from where they were stationed, sources said. [b]PAF has the highest number of men having religious inclination followed by the army and the navy, sources said.[/b] anjum gill