A bomb exploded at Islamabad international airport on Saturday sparking a terrorism alert in the Pakistan capital as US attacks in neighboring Afghanistan caused growing anxiety.
The bomb went off soon after it was discovered in a car park near the airport VIP lounge but there were no casualties, police said.
Kaleem Imam, police chief for the city of Rawalpindi, which includes the airport, said the bomb blast was "terrorism". He said about one kilogram (2.2 pounds) of explosives was involved.
"The bag in which the bomb was hidden was spotted by airport security staff and quickly taken to a cabin in the parking lot where it exploded a few minutes later," the police chief told AFP.
The explosion was heard across the airport but planes continued to land and take off during the emergency.
It was the first attack of its kind in Pakistan since US-led air strikes on Afghanistan started on October 7.
There have been many demonstrations in Pakistan against the attacks forcing the government on to the defensive over the backing it has given to the United States.
Pakistan gives what it calls "logistical support" to the United States, including the use of three air bases, but refuses to let the United States launch attacks from Pakistan territory.
Imam said the airport bomb "appears to be an act of terrorism" adding that police were searching for a suspect seen leaving the bag at the parking lot. He would not say however if a link to the US military campaign was suspected.
"We have beefed up security at the airport and also at other public places in Islamabad and Rawalpindi," he said.
Security has been tightened across Pakistan since the air strikes on Afghanistan began, with authorities concerned about possible retaliatory action by opponents of the attacks.
Muslim militants have staged violent rallies across the country to protest against the US strikes and Pakistan's support for the US campaign.
One opposition figurehead, Islamic Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam party leader Fazlur Rehman, has been charged with treason and hundreds of militants have been arrested.
Islamabad airport has been under tight security since the air strikes started and all vehicles entering the complex are searched. All sensitive spots are already under heavy guard but police said this will be increased.
Islamabad police chief Nasir Khan Durrani said: "Bomb disposal teams have launched an extensive operation and sniffer dogs are also being used to search for explosives at important installations throughout the capital."
An airport official said: "The airport blast comes as a warning that terrorist elements are able to penetrate despite the stringent security measures in force." -- ISLAMABAD (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
