Musharraf says it again: hawks tarnishing image

‘‘As a leader I start feeling small. I go and say something and this incident takes place,’’ he said referring to his meetings with investors and businessmen in US and Europe.

Suspected Sunni extremists yesterday exploded a powerful bomb and fired indiscriminately during Friday prayers killing 44 people. Four people succumbed to injuries later. Asked whether the attack on the mosque was carried by sectarian extremists or he suspected involvement of Afghans, Musharraf said: ‘‘It may be the work of sectarian extremists or religious extremists, whom I condemn in strongest terms. They are not only harming our nation but they are bringing a bad name to Islam. They think they are doing this for religion but actually they are disgracing our religion.’’

Musharraf, however, did not rule out the possibility of involvement of outside forces in the attacks adding investigations were on to determine whether Afghans were involved in the attack. (PTI)