Washington: Pakistan has arrested two military personnel in connection with the recent attempt to assassinate President Pervez Musharraf, a media report said today (Apr 4, 2004).

Two Air Force technicians have been arrested in connection with the nearly successful suicide bombing against Musharraf's limousine in Rawalpindi on December 25, 'The Washington Post' reported from Kakul after their correspondents visited the Pakistani Military Academy.

Also, an inspector from the paramilitary Rangers has been charged in connection with the plot to assassinate Musharraf by bombing his convoy in Karachi in 2000, it said.

The 'Post' said there are indications that "Musharraf still faces a potential threat from the extremists in the military angered by his close cooperation with the United States in the war on terrorism and his pursuit of a peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue."

Meanwhile, a Pak Army Major faces court-martial for allegedly providing shelter to Khalid Sheik Mohammed, a top al-Qaeda figure captured in Rawalpindi in March 2003, the report said. A Colonel and two other officers were arrested for failing to report the major even though they allegedly knew of his activities.

"Though this Major was acting independently, it is not unfair to say that al-Qaeda had some penetration in the Army," a senior Pakistani official who spoke on condition of anonymity said.