Rockets found near Pakistani intelligence HQ

Pakistan's authorities say they have found another two rockets near a government building in the capital, Islamabad.

The devices were found off a main road near the headquarters of the Pakistani intelligence services, the ISI.

Roads were sealed off and bomb disposal experts sent in.

It is just two days since similar devices were discovered in the heart of the Government district within range of the National Assembly.

Late on Wednesday, a mysterious explosion also occurred at a park near President Pervez Musharraf's Army residence in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, adjoining Islamabad.

A security alert has been enforced in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Officials say security for the President had also been tightened.

Security officials say they are investigating how the rockets, which were of Russian origin and are found in abundance in Afghanistan, were brought into the Pakistani capital.

There is speculation the incidents are intended to send a message to General Musharraf's Government that its close collaboration with the United States and its western allies will not go unchallenged.

General Musharraf has just returned from a high-profile world tour, where in both Washington and London he was pressed upon to step up his efforts to tackle Taliban and Al Qaeda supporters inside Pakistan's borders.

The ISI has captured many members of Al Qaeda's top brass, including key September 11 planner Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, since Pakistan joined the US-led "war on terror" in late 2001.

General Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999 and has survived two assassination attempts in Rawalpindi, both in December 2003, and at least four attempts overall.

- BBC/AFP