Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today (Dec 25, 2003) survived two successive assassination attempts within seconds of each other, when two suicide bombers tried to crash their explosive-laden vehicles into his convoy at Rawalpindi, killing themselves and 12 others.

Ten days after escaping an attempt on his life in Rawalpindi, two cars filled with explosives, waiting at separate petrol stations, attempted to ram into the convoy of 61-year-old military ruler this afternoon as he was returning to his official residence in the cantonment city from neighbouring Islamabad, but he and his staff were unhurt.

Pakistan Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat said 14 people were killed and 46 injured in the attacks.

There was confusion as preliminary reports said the suicide bombers hit a decoy convoy of the President, but it was cleared when Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, who appeared on State-run PTV, announced that General Musharraf was safe and sound even though the windscreen of his limousine had suffered damage.

The attacks took place when two vehicles, waiting in different directions at Jhanda Chichi area in the garrison city, stormed out and exploded within the close range of the General's convoy.

"By the grace of God the President and other members of his motorcade were safe. I spoke to President Musharraf after the attack," Sheikh Rashid said.

Three other cars in the convoy were also damaged in the attacks that took place just two kms from his official residence, he said.

He also said the debris of the nearby petrol stations that were damaged in the attacks fell on Musharraf's car.

While no one has claimed responsibility, military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan said the attacks could be by al-Qaeda or any other militant groups. All efforts would be made for the success of the forthcoming SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit in Islamabad, he said.

Sultan said one car in Musharraf's motorcade was hit by the suicide bombers, injuring several security men.

Pakistan Cabinet held an emergency meeting following the attacks.

Sheikh Rashid said the windscreen of Musharraf's limousine was slightly damaged when debris of a damaged car fell on his vehicle. He said investigations have been ordered.

He also said that tight security arrangements have been made for the three-day SAARC summit beginning on January 4 and that they would be further reviewed in view of today's attacks.

Officials said last two vehicles of Musharraf's convoy suffered heavy damage. The area of the attacks resembled a battle zone with dozens of damaged cars and other vehicles strewn around. Two petrol stations also suffered damage.

The first suicide car rammed into a police vehicle going ahead of the convoy while the second one exploded closer to Musharraf's s vehicle.

Sultan said Musharraf's policies of Islamic moderation have upset several elements in Pakistan.

He said he met Musharraf after the attacks and found him to be in good spirits. "He (Musharraf) is an ideal soldier and a great individual," he told Geo TV.

Hayat said this was the first time suicide attacks were attempted in Pakistan. He said a majority of those killed in today's attack was from the first blast, which was of high intensity.

A senior Senator of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q), Mushaid Hussain, said today's attacks revealed that the security system has totally collapsed.

"There appears to be no security system. Whatever is there appeared to have collapsed after today," he said.