Benazir Bhutto assassinated by suicide bomber
THE FORMER president of Pakistan was murdered as she left a political rally today.
According to party officials Benazir Bhutto was shot in the neck and chest as she got into her vehicle in the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
The gunman then blew himself up close to her car, killing up to twenty civilians in a suicide bomb blast.
It has not been confirmed whether the opposition leader was killed by gunshot wounds or the blast, nor is it clear who is responsible for the assassination.
Bhutto had just addressed thousands of supporters in a public park as part of her opposition party's campaign just thirteen days before Pakistan's parliamentary elections - scheduled for January 8.
Benazir Bhutto may have been killed by terrorists but terrorists must not be allowed to kill democracy in Pakistan
After the attack Ms Bhutto was rushed to Rawalpindi General Hospital where she died in the operating theatre just after one o'clock (GMT) this afternoon.
Her lawyer said: "The surgeons confirmed that she has been martyred."
Opposition groups have warned that fears of civil war in nuclear armed Pakistan are now imminent.
Riaz Malik, of the opposition Pakistan Movement for Justice party warned: “The impact will be that Pakistan is in more turmoil.
“There is a very real danger of civil war in Pakistan. There will be a lot of fingers pointed at the government,” he said.
Scenes of chaos were broadcast from outside the hospital as protesters screamed abuse at the current Pakistani president, chanting "Killer killer Musharraf" and "Dog Musharraf, dog" and smashed the hospital's doors.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown today paid tribute to the woman who "risked everything for democracy" and added: "Benazir Bhutto may have been killed by terrorists but terrorists must not be allowed to kill democracy in Pakistan."
Foreign Secretary David Miliband also condemned the assassination as "a senseless attack" and urged: “This is a time for restraint but also unity.
“In targeting Benazir Bhutto extremist groups have in their sights all those committed to democratic processes in Pakistan.
“They cannot and must not succeed. The large Pakistani community in the United Kingdom will be gravely concerned about these latest developments.
“Let me reassure them that the UK Government will continue to work with all those who want to build a peaceful and democratic Pakistan.”
And Tory leader David Cameron described how Pakistan had lost one of its "bravest daughters" today.
He said: “Benazir Bhutto was a courageous politician known throughout the world, not just Pakistan, for her forthright and sometimes controversial views.
“Her tragic death is a hammer blow against the dream of pluralism and tolerance in modern day Pakistan.
“In the light of her brutal assassination, the need for the full restoration of democracy in Pakistan is now paramount.”
US President George Bush "strongly" condemned the attack but urged Pakistan to "continue with the democratic process." He added: "Those who committed this crime must be brought to justice."
The country's January elections - that many hoped would pave the way towards a return to democracy - look set to be postponed. It is understood President Musharraf is holding an emergency meeting with officials.
Ms Bhutto, 54, served twice as Pakistan's prime minister between 1988 and 1996. She had sensationally returned to Pakistan from an eight-year self-imposed exile last October after she faced corruption charges.
Her return was enabled after President Musharraf agreed to a power-sharing agreement in an amnesty deal. But relations with President Musharraf have since broken down.
Her homecoming parade in Karachi was also targeted by a suicide attacker, killing more than 140 people. Ms Bhutto narrowly avoided serious injury and after cheating death remained defiant.
Amit Roy, a writer and commentator on Pakistani politics who knew Ms Bhutto personally said: “In one of my last conversations with her I said, almost as a joke, that she should leave politics and become an academic.
“But she felt that it was always her ambition to return to Pakistan as Prime Minister. She knew the risks but was determined to stay.”
He added: “The elections should go ahead but they might have to be postponed for a while because emotions will be running very high.
“It is difficult for the British government because they have to decide how much support to give to President Musharraf.”
