Musharraf's government claims to have arrested nearly 600 suspected militants since late July and plans to strictly monitor religious schools where extremists are thought to be active. Security forces claim to have "busted a terrorist den" based in an Islamic school in a remote region near Afghanistan on July 29, seizing weapons and explosives.

Two of the four alleged suicide bombers in the July 7 terrorist attacks in London visited Pakistan last year, and Pakistani investigators have been trying to learn more about their activities during the trip. Both were of Pakistani origin, and one reportedly stayed at a madrassa.

Musharraf has strongly condemned the London attacks as well as the recent bombing in Egypt. Nevertheless, some Western officials have criticized him, saying he should have been tougher on extremists after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks against the United States.

But Musharraf told foreign journalists in Rawalpindi he did not have "a free hand" in 2002 because of an unstable economy, the confrontation with India over Kashmir and insufficient international support for his presidency.

The Japan Times: Aug. 6, 2005
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