Washington: The United States is "staying in closest touch" with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf who is "under attack by terrorist elements", Secretary of State Colin Powell said.

The United States is going after terrorists and so is Musharraf, Powell told the House International Relations Committee in Washington.

The Pakistani President has been playing an important role in the US campaign against terrorism as is evident by the recent arrests of September 11 terrorists, he said.

"He (Musharraf) is also under attack by terrorist elements," Powell said.

PTI