Two suicide bombers struck near the heart of the Pakistani military yesterday, killing 25 people and wounding 70, many of them security agency staff traveling to work through the city of Rawalpindi.

The blasts come at a time of rising militant violence and deepening political uncertainty in Pakistan, with the army chief and president, General Pervez Musharraf, preparing to try to secure a new term and his opponents vowing to end his rule.

The government dismissed speculation the blasts could lead to declaration of an emergency and postponement of presidential and parliamentary elections due in coming weeks and months.