ISLAMABAD, Feb. 7 (Xinhua) -- 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.