Reports suggest a sniper was on a hilltop near the Islamabad highway and shot at the car [Reuters]

Kamal Shah, Pakistan's interior secretary, said Gilani and his staff were not in the car when the shots were fired at the bullet-proof car.

Reports have suggested Gilani's son, Moosa, and Qamar Zaman Kaira, the federal minister for Kashmir and Northern affairs, were in the motorcade going to Islamabad's international airport to pick up the prime minister.

Gilani's spokesman Zahid Bashir said two bullets hit the reinforced glass window.

"By the grace of Allah the prime minister is safe," he said.

Rehman Malik, an adviser to the prime minister said investigations into the incident had begun and a preliminary report would be presented within 24 hours.

Tariq Khosa, a senior law enforcement official, is to lead the government investigation team.

Taliban claim attack

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, saying Gilani was responsible for offensives against their fighters in the northwest.

"We will continue such attacks on government officials and installations," said Muslim Khan, a spokesman for the group.

Hundreds of people have so far been killed in bomb attacks by the Pakistani Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters.

Gilani remains a potential, high-profile target even though he is protected by a massive security cover.

Gilani's Pakistan People's Party leader,  Asif Ali Zardari, is standing for president in elections scheduled for September 6.

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