US missions reopen in Pakistan

No arrests have been made so far

The US embassy in Islamabad and its consulates in Lahore and Peshawar reopened on Monday although the US Consulate-General in Karachi remains shut.

US agents have joined the investigation

All US missions in Pakistan were shut down following a car-bomb attack on the Consulate-General on Friday in which 12 people were killed and dozens others injured, all of them Pakistanis.

US officials in Pakistan say a decision will be taken later on Monday if and when the Consulate- General in Karachi should be reopened.

Meanwhile, Pakistani and US investigators continue their search for clues about the identity of the attackers.

Pakistani authorities have further tightened security measures around foreign missions with paramilitary Rangers taking over guard duties at those considered at particular risk.

No arrests

So far, the police have not arrested any suspects although senior investigator Manzur Mughal says three people have been questioned.

They include a mechanic from a car repair shop, a security guard and a student from a madrassa, or religious school.

The hunt for clues continues

More than two dozen US investigators are said to have joined their Pakistani counterparts in Karachi and have continued a search for clues around the Consulate-General.

Correspondents have reported several theories about who might have been behind Friday's attack.

Initially, there were reports that it was a suicide-attack by the driver of a car carrying a bomb, similar to the fatal attack on French naval technicians in Karachi a month ago.

Investigators now say they are examining the possibility that it was a remotely-detonated bomb placed in a car belonging to a nearby driving school, driven by an unsuspecting instructor.

Serious threats

Soon after the attack, a hitherto unheard of group calling itself al-Qanoon (the law) sent a faxed message to a local newspaper claiming responsibility for the attack.

This was reportedly followed by other messages, one demanding that President Pervez Musharraf, who was criticised for his support for the US-led "war on terrorism", should resign.

The Pakistani press has reported that a number of messages have been faxed to the British High Commission in Karachi threatening an attack, although this has not been confirmed.

However, Pakistani police say they are taking al-Qanoon and its threats seriously.