PM Nawaz narrowly escapes attack in Islamabad

Car tries hitting PM's convoy while he was en route to Islamabad with his family

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif narrowly escaped an attack on his convoy Sunday night while en route to Islamabad. 

According to sources in the PM House, the prime minister, along with his family, was travelling to the capital when another car tried to overtake the convoy and hit his car.

The car was immediately forced to pull over and the driver was taken into custody, sources said, adding that the car had a fake number plate. Sources said the prime minister is safe.

The incident was also reported by Radio Pakistan.

Read: Ex-Senator's house comes under rocket attack

The suspect is being interrogated by security officials.

A government official told AFP the man claimed to be a retired air commodore from the Pakistan Air Force and was travelling with his own family in a white land cruiser.

"He is in custody of the Prime Minister's security team and his vehicle has also been impounded," he said.

The official said that the incident took place a few kilometres outside the capital Islamabad.

Following the death of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi leader Malik Ishaq in a police encounter earlier this week, police officials and security experts fear the banned outfit and other terrorist groups affiliated with it may avenge the killing.