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Blasts heard near Islamabad, Rawalpindi

Police were investigating two large explosions heard near the Pakistani capital on Monday, as the government was engaged in a military operation against militants in its northwestern tribal regions.

  • Agencies
  • Published: 11:22 June 30, 2008
  • Gulf News

Islamabad: Police were investigating two large explosions heard near the Pakistani capital on Monday, as the government was engaged in a military operation against militants in its northwestern tribal regions.

The cause and location of the blasts, which were heard in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, about seven miles away, were not clear.

"We have information of an explosion. We are still checking where is the site and what is the cause," a senior Rawalpindi police officer. "All sensitive installations are clear."

Police said they were considering the possibility of a sonic boom.

"We have checked everywhere in Rawalpindi, all the main areas and hospitals, but there is nothing," an official said about 45 minutes after the blast was heard.

"It could have been a sonic boom but we are still investigating."

Pakistani Taliban have threatened revenge for the military offensive near the Afghanistan border but it was not immediately clear if the explosions were related.

Also Monday, US State Department official Richard Boucher began a three-day visit to Islamabad. A five-member congressional delegation also was visiting the country.

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