Karachi: Suspected Islamic militants attacked the convoy of a top Pakistani General in this strife-torn city today (June 10, 2004) and set off a blast killing 10 people, including seven soldiers, but the Corps Commander escaped unhurt.

Seven people, including Lieutenant General Ahsan Saleem Hayat's driver and guard, were injured when the gunmen, hiding in building on opposite sides of the road, opened fire at the convoy. Among the dead were three policemen.

Militants attacked the convoy at the entrance of a bridge in the busy Clifton area, just 500 metres from the US consulate, with AK-47 rifles. They also exploded a bomb during the attack.

Military spokesman Shaukat Sultan said that seven Army men were among 10 people killed in the attack.

The windows of nearby shops and apartments were shattered by the gunfire and the subsequent explosion, police said, adding that one bomb was defused while the attackers fled firing indiscriminately.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Karachi Mayor Rehmatullah Khan said that it was carried out by terrorists.

Colonel Idris Mallik denied that Hayat was the target, saying the attack was not on the motorcade of the Corps Commander and that he reached his office safely.

He said the attack was directed against the police vehicle and the Commander's vehicle happened to be in the vicinity.

The attack was the first of its kind against a top Army Commander in Karachi. It followed three failed attempts on President Pervez Musharraf's life in Rawalpindi for which he had blamed al-Qaeda and some Army and Air Force personnel have been arrested.

The growing violence has created a major political crisis in the Sindh province, which is governed by a shaky coalition owing allegiance to Musharraf.

In May 2004, at least 14 people were killed when a man blew himself up in a minority Shia mosque. This was followed by a murder of a Sunni scholar Mufti Shamzai.

All these incidents resulted in heavy rioting and destruction of vehicles and buildings by irate mobs.

After the violence, Chief Minister of Sindh province Ali Muhammad Mehar was sacked. He was replaced by Arbab Ghulam Rahim of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q), who assumed office yesterday (June 9).