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Mikael · 12-27-2007, 09:02 AM

Benazir Bhutto, Pakistani opposition leader, killed in suicide attack

The Associated Press
Published: December 27, 2007

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto died Thursday from her injuries sustained in a suicide attack, a party aide said.

"At 6:16 p.m. she expired," said Wasif Ali Khan, a member of Bhutto's party who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital.

A senior military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment, confirmed that Bhutto had died.

Her supporters at the hospital began chanting "Dog, Musharraf, dog," referring to Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf.

Some of them smashed the glass door at the main entrance of the emergency unit, others burst into tears.

The suicide bomber struck shortly Bhutto addressed a political rally in this garrison city on Thursday, killing at least 20 people, witnesses said.

An Associated Press reporter at the scene could see body parts and flesh scattered at the back gate of the Liaqat Bagh park where Bhutto had spoken. He counted about 20 bodies, including police, and could see many other wounded people.

A police official, Abdul Karim, said Bhutto had already left the area in her vehicle when the blast went off, just minutes after her speech to thousands of supporters, part of her campaign for Jan. 8 parliamentary elections.

Another police official, Saud Aziz, said it was a suicide attack.

Police cordoned off the street with white and red tape, and rescue workers rushed to put victims in ambulances as people wailed nearby.

Body parts, pieces of clothing and party banners scattered on the street. The clothing of some of the victims was shredded and people put party flags over their bodies. Police caps and shoes littered the asphalt.

It was the second suicide attack apparently targeting the former prime minister in two months.

Her homecoming parade in southern city of Karachi from an eight-year exile on Oct. 18 was also targeted, killing more than 140 people.

On Thursday, hundreds of riot police had manned security checkpoints to guard the venue. It was Bhutto's first public meeting in Rawalpindi since she came back to the country.

In recent weeks, suicide bombers have repeatedly targeted security forces in Rawalpindi, a city near the capital where Musharraf stays and the Pakistan army has its headquarters.

Earlier Thursday, pro-government party supporters clashed with backers of opposition leader Nawaz Sharif a few kilometers from Rawalpindi, killing four people and wounding three.

Source: Benazir Bhutto, Pakistani opposition leader, killed in suicide attack - International Herald Tribune

12-27-2007, 09:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Mikael Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 1,953 Thanks: 932 Thanked 414 Times in 250 Posts	Benazir Bhutto, Pakistani opposition leader, killed in suicide attack Benazir Bhutto, Pakistani opposition leader, killed in suicide attack The Associated Press Published: December 27, 2007 RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto died Thursday from her injuries sustained in a suicide attack, a party aide said. "At 6:16 p.m. she expired," said Wasif Ali Khan, a member of Bhutto's party who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital. A senior military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment, confirmed that Bhutto had died. Her supporters at the hospital began chanting "Dog, Musharraf, dog," referring to Pakistan's president, Pervez Musharraf. Some of them smashed the glass door at the main entrance of the emergency unit, others burst into tears. The suicide bomber struck shortly Bhutto addressed a political rally in this garrison city on Thursday, killing at least 20 people, witnesses said. An Associated Press reporter at the scene could see body parts and flesh scattered at the back gate of the Liaqat Bagh park where Bhutto had spoken. He counted about 20 bodies, including police, and could see many other wounded people. A police official, Abdul Karim, said Bhutto had already left the area in her vehicle when the blast went off, just minutes after her speech to thousands of supporters, part of her campaign for Jan. 8 parliamentary elections. Another police official, Saud Aziz, said it was a suicide attack. Police cordoned off the street with white and red tape, and rescue workers rushed to put victims in ambulances as people wailed nearby. Body parts, pieces of clothing and party banners scattered on the street. The clothing of some of the victims was shredded and people put party flags over their bodies. Police caps and shoes littered the asphalt. It was the second suicide attack apparently targeting the former prime minister in two months. Her homecoming parade in southern city of Karachi from an eight-year exile on Oct. 18 was also targeted, killing more than 140 people. On Thursday, hundreds of riot police had manned security checkpoints to guard the venue. It was Bhutto's first public meeting in Rawalpindi since she came back to the country. In recent weeks, suicide bombers have repeatedly targeted security forces in Rawalpindi, a city near the capital where Musharraf stays and the Pakistan army has its headquarters. Earlier Thursday, pro-government party supporters clashed with backers of opposition leader Nawaz Sharif a few kilometers from Rawalpindi, killing four people and wounding three. Source: Benazir Bhutto, Pakistani opposition leader, killed in suicide attack - International Herald Tribune