Bomb explodes in park near Musharraf's house

An explosive device was detonated in a public park not far from the residence of Pakistani President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

An explosive device detonated in a public park not far from the residence of Pakistani President Gen Pervez Musharraf, but no one was injured, officials said.

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Security forces cordoned off the Ayub Park, site of the reported blast that went off around 9.30 pm (2200 IST) in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

The park is located in a military cantonment, about two kilometers from Musharraf's army residence and about 12 kilometers from the capital Islamabad. Other senior army officers are housed in the area.

At least 10 armed policemen were guarding the park's main gate and four police pickup trucks were parked nearby. About half a dozen army soldiers were also standing near the gate, an Associated Press photographer at the scene said.

Police forced journalists away from the park's entrance. Four ambulances drove out the park but carried any casualties.

Mohammed Azhar, a police control officer in Rawalpindi, said that there were no reports of injuries from the explosion.

A senior army official, who requested anonymity as he wasn't authorized to comment to media, said the blast was caused by an explosive and bomb disposal experts were examining it.

The official dismissed any suggestion Musharraf was targeted, saying the blast happened at least two kilometers from his residence.