ROCKET ATTACK IN PAKISTAN

November 12, 1999
		Seven rockets fired at foreign targets in Pakistan -- including the American Embassy in Islamabad -- have injured six people in what officials are calling a coordinated anti-American attack. -- Posted 12:15 PM ET

Oct. 15, 1999: An Online Update of the state of emergency in Pakistan Oct. 13, 1999: Four experts discuss the coup in Pakistan. Oct. 12, 1999: An Online Update on the coup in Pakistan Aug. 20, 1998: The U.S. strikes against Osama bin Laden. Complete NewsHour coverage of Asia   Pakistani Embassy in Washington

The blasts happened within a two minute period, also hitting an American cultural center, the U.N. building and downtown government offices. No Americans were hurt in the various explosions, and officials report little structural damage. "These are rockets fired from cars by unidentified people who have managed to flee," said Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Mohammed Ali Khan. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but officials in Pakistan believe alleged terrorist Osama bin Laden, who is wanted for arrest in the United States for masterminding two U.S. embassy bombings last year, was involved. The United Nations and the United States have urged Afghanistan to apprehend bin Laden, even threatening sanctions, but the country's Taliban militia leadership has balked. Friday's attack happened only two days before the U.N.'s deadline for Afghanistan to turn over bin Laden. "These explosions are a warning to the Pakistan military leadership that if they cooperate with America against Osama there could be even worse violence," a senior official in the ministry said. "This warning is not only for Americans, but also for Pakistan," said an official of the ministry, which oversees police and other security forces. Pakistan has been under the rule of Gen. Pervaiz Musharraf, the country's military leader, since he led an October 12 coup against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Pakistan still considers Afghanistan an ally, but Musharraf said he would "like to get into the realities of the issue" of bin Laden.