Bomb attack on Pakistan mosque is thwarted

Police arrested two would-be suicide bombers planning to attack a mosque and a government building in Pakistan's capital yesterday, as local officials said another suspected US missile strike near the Afghan border killed three alleged insurgents.

Al-Qaeda and Taleban militants seeking to topple Pakistan's US-allied government have carried out scores of attacks, killing thousands.

The military has responded by launching offensives in the remote northwest where the insurgents are based, and the US has increased its missile attacks on those strongholds out of reach of the Pakistani army.

Police officer Bin Yamin said the detained men were linked to the Pakistani Taleban in the South Waziristan region. One was arrested wearing an explosives vest and was on his way to attack an Islamabad mosque during Friday prayers

Questioning indicated the plotters were also planning to hit government buildings, possibly even parliament, Mr Yamin added.

Also yesterday, suspected US missiles fired by an unmanned drone hit a vehicle carrying three alleged militants in a northwestern Taleban stronghold, intelligence officials said.

Missiles struck the vehicle in Pir Kali village in North Waziristan, the officials said.

The area is home to Afghan and Pakistani Taleban fighters who are battling Nato forces in Afghanistan.