Washington, Jan 25: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said the recent assassination attempts on him were executed by "local extremists" but indications are that al-Qaeda terrorist network is involved. "The people who executed them (assassination attempts) were local extremists. One has to find out who passed the orders. Indications are that al-Qaeda is involved," Musharraf told the ‘Washington Post’ in an interview published today.
"We have rounded up all those who planned and executed the operation. We have to find out who gave the orders in al-Qaeda."
Asked whether he has decided that terrorist outfits like Jaish-e Mohammed is a danger to him and to Pakistan, Musharraf said, "We have already shut them down. Jaish-e Mohammed is banned, but there are groups with links to Jaish-e Mohammed. Anyone involved in them is being arrested."
To a question that attempts on his life could not have taken place without the participation of Pakistan's military or police, he said, "Our military is extremely disciplined. Every commander is on board with me. A very low level person in uniform was possibly involved but no one at an officer level."

Asked whether the us is assisting him in finding those who attacked him, Musharraf said, "Our own intelligence operations have produced excellent results, but we are being assisted by other intelligence sources."
Replying to a question whether al-Qaeda leader Ayman Zawahiri actually threatened his life, he said "yes, and the start of the planning (for the assassination attempts) coincided with that."

Bureau Report