August 27, 2008	Wednesday	Sha'aban 24, 1429

PESHAWAR, Aug 26: US Consulate’s Principal Officer Lynne Tracy escaped a gun attack here on Tuesday.

Ms Tracy was going to the consulate situated on the Rehman Baba Road in a bullet-proof car when gunmen opened fire.

The driver quickly reversed the car, hitting an auto-rickshaw, and sped away to safety. The diplomat’s guard also escaped unhurt, but the auto-rickshaw driver was injured.

It is learnt that three gunmen opened fire on the car soon after it had left her residence. An eyewitness said that the attackers were on a blue Land Cruiser.

Local police reached the place and cordoned off the entire area.

An official of the University Town police station told Dawn that a case would be registered after a written complaint was filed by the US consulate.

NWFP Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti condemned the attack and said the culprits would be brought to book. He told journalists that his government would take all possible steps to provide security to foreigners.