The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif, is reported to be under house arrest and his government has been dismissed in a military coup attempt. The military action follows the Prime Minister's dismissal of the Army Chief of Staff, General Pervez Musharraf. Armed troops immediately surrounded the Prime Minister's residence and took over key instalations including the airports and broadcasting studios. General Pervez Musharraf is to make televised broadcast later. India has put its forces on full alert.
