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Pakistani PM 'survives attack' Pakistani PM 'survives attack'
(20 minutes later)
Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has survived an assassination attempt, officials say.Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has survived an assassination attempt, officials say.
Two bullets from an unidentified gunman hit his car as he was travelling just outside the capital, Islamabad, his press secretary told the BBC.Two bullets from an unidentified gunman hit his car as he was travelling just outside the capital, Islamabad, his press secretary told the BBC.
Mr Gilani's government is grappling with a growing threat from militants in the country.Mr Gilani's government is grappling with a growing threat from militants in the country.
In December former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed at an election rally in Rawalpindi.In December former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed at an election rally in Rawalpindi.
Major lapseMajor lapse
Mr Gilani was travelling in a bullet-proof car in a convoy between Islamabad and the nearby city of Rawalpindi. Mr Gilani was travelling in a bullet-proof car in a convoy between Islamabad and the nearby city of Rawalpindi after landing on an internal flight at Islamabad airport.
"I can confirm the prime minister's convoy was fired upon while returning from Chaklala airport," his press secretary Zahid Bashir told the BBC.
"The prime minster was coming back from Lahore. The firing took place on the Islamabad highway. At this point, we believe the firing was from a small hill on the roadside."
Television pictures indicated that the bullets hit the windows of the driver's door.Television pictures indicated that the bullets hit the windows of the driver's door.
Officials say another car in the convoy was also hit by several bullets. There are no reports of injuries.Officials say another car in the convoy was also hit by several bullets. There are no reports of injuries.
The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says the incident represents a major lapse in security.The BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan in Islamabad says the incident represents a major lapse in security.
Mr Gilani was returning from the city of Lahore where he had been canvassing support for Asif Zardari, Ms Bhutto's widower, ahead of presidential elections on Saturday. Mr Gilani had been in Lahore to canvass support for Asif Zardari, Ms Bhutto's widower, ahead of presidential elections on Saturday.
Ms Bhutto had been favourite to win Pakistan's general elections and become prime minister for a third time before she was killed on 27 December. The elections were subsequently postponed until February.Ms Bhutto had been favourite to win Pakistan's general elections and become prime minister for a third time before she was killed on 27 December. The elections were subsequently postponed until February.
Her Pakistan People's Party (PPP) emerged as the winners and formed a coalition with the PML-N party of another former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif. Mr Gilani, himself a senior PPP member, became prime ministerHer Pakistan People's Party (PPP) emerged as the winners and formed a coalition with the PML-N party of another former Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif. Mr Gilani, himself a senior PPP member, became prime minister
The coalition broke up amid political acrimony late last month.The coalition broke up amid political acrimony late last month.
Confident
One of the biggest challenges facing Mr Gilani's government comes from Islamist militants who control large areas along the areas bordering Afghanistan.
The army has been engaged in a major operation in recent weeks in the district of Bajaur which is estimated to have displaced up to 300,000 local people.
This week the government said the Bajaur operation would be suspended during Ramadan.
Last year militants grew increasingly confident and carried out a series of attacks in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, the country's main garrison town.