Zeenews Bureau
Islamabad, Dec 27: Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was shot dead in an election rally in Rawalpindi, Thursday evening. While she was brought in a critical condition to the Rawalpindi general hospital, she succumbed to her injuries while being operated. Besides, 20-25 people are also feared killed in a simultaneous suicide bomb attack at her rally. The general elections slated for January 08 are likely to be deferred and Emergency may be re-imposed.
Bhutto was shot at from a close range. She sustained five bullet injuries on her neck.
The men, who open fired at her, were riding bikes and carrying AK 47s, according to reports. The PPP leader was just getting into the car after her address. Immediately after a suicide blast took place near her convoy. The attack took place at 5:30 pm and Benazir breathed her last at 6:16 pm. Benazir Bhutto was 54.
The attack is shocking considering the heavy security cover and the fact that the attack took place in a garrison city with strong intelligence base.
Angry protests have been reported by Pakistan People’s Part(PPP) supporters from various parts of the country. Violence broke out in several parts including Lahore and Karachi. Shops and petrol pumps were also shut down. Protestors also clashed with the police in Rawalpindi immediately after the attack.
Bhutto had earlier accused elements in the intelligence services of trying to kill her.
Following an attack on her cavalcade on October 18, Bhutto had received a letter from “friends of al-Qaeda'' on October 23, threatening more suicide attacks, possibly using women bombers.
Bhutto had reportedly said that her houses in Karachi and Larkana in the southern province of Sindh were under threat implying that she had an inclination about such conspiracies.
Simultaneous suicide attack
Meanwhile, a simultaneous blast took place near the exit gate of the rally. Witnesses saw body parts and flesh scattered at the back gate of the Liaqat Bagh Park here, where the rally was held.
The road outside was stained with blood and people screamed for ambulances. Others gave water to the wounded lying in the street. The clothing of some of the victims was shredded and people put party flags over their bodies.
The bomb went off just minutes after Bhutto spoke to thousands of supporters and she appeared to be the target of the attack. Farahtullah Babar, the spokesman for her party, said her vehicle was about 50 yards away from blast, which went off as she was leaving the rally venue.
Police official Saud Aziz said it was a suicide attack.
Targetted earlier & family tragedies
Bhutto, who returned to Pakistan, after an 8- year of self-imposed exile on October 18 was earlier targetted on the very day of her return. Three suicide attacks on her cavalcade had left 140 dead. At that time, Benazir had managed a narrow escape.
Bhutto had blamed President Pervez Musharraf for not providing adequate security. However, the former PM in a press conference after the attack said she would not to be cowed down by terror and resolved to crush it. She had bravely declared that the attack on her was an attack on freedom and everything she stood for; and that she refused to change her stand for fear of death.
Bhutto has served two truncated terms as the Prime Minister and was readying to fight the January 08 general elections again.
The other main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, who also returned after a 7-year exile, had been barred from contesting. It was for this reason that many in her party were hopeful to see her back at the helm of affairs.
The Bhutto family has seen great tragedies in the past. Benazir’s father Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged in 1979 by General Zia ul Haq’s regime. Both her brothers Shanawaz and Mir Murtaza were killed under mysterious circumstances in 1980 and 1996 respectively.
First Published: Thursday, December 27, 2007, 00:00