ISLAMABAD, Dec 15: Security forces were put on high alert on Monday as they investigated the high intensity blast that wrecked a bridge in Rawalpindi, just seconds after President Musharraf’s motorcade had crossed over it on Sunday.

“A joint team of police, district administration and police has started investigations into the blast,” Information Minister Sheikh Rashid told AFP.

The police in Rawalpindi said several people had been arrested but the interior ministry denied any arrests.

“Some arrests have been made,” a policeman told AFP, seeking anonymity and declining to identify the detainees.

Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Chaudhry said, “So far no arrests have been made in connection with the blast.”

However, a Dubai-based television channel reported on Monday that security agencies had detained seven people, including three policemen, for questioning in the failed attempt on President Pervez Musharraf’s life.—AFP/dpa