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Benazir Bhutto killed in attack Benazir Bhutto killed in attack
(10 minutes later)
Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been killed in a presumed suicide attack. Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been assassinated in a suicide attack.
Ms Bhutto had just addressed an election rally in Rawalpindi when gunfire and an explosion occurred. Ms Bhutto had just addressed an election rally in Rawalpindi when she was shot in the neck by a gunman who then reportedly set off a bomb.
At least 15 other people are reported killed in the attack and several more were injured. At least 15 other people died in the attack and several more were injured.
President Pervez Musharraf and his government called on people to remain calm so that the "nefarious designs of terrorists can be defeated."President Pervez Musharraf and his government called on people to remain calm so that the "nefarious designs of terrorists can be defeated."
Ms Bhutto had twice been the country's prime minister and had been campaigning ahead of elections due in January.Ms Bhutto had twice been the country's prime minister and had been campaigning ahead of elections due in January.
Nawaz Sharif, also a former prime minister and a political rival, told the BBC her death was a tragedy for "the entire nation".Nawaz Sharif, also a former prime minister and a political rival, told the BBC her death was a tragedy for "the entire nation".
"I can't tell you what the feelings of the people of Pakistan are today," he told BBC News 24 after returning from the hospital where she was brought."I can't tell you what the feelings of the people of Pakistan are today," he told BBC News 24 after returning from the hospital where she was brought.
It was the second suicide attack against Benazir Bhutto in recent months and comes amid a wave of bombings targeting security and government officials.It was the second suicide attack against Benazir Bhutto in recent months and comes amid a wave of bombings targeting security and government officials.
Ms Bhutto's death has plunged her party into confusion and raised questions about whether January elections will go ahead as planned, the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says.Ms Bhutto's death has plunged her party into confusion and raised questions about whether January elections will go ahead as planned, the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says.
The PPP has the largest support of any party in the country.The PPP has the largest support of any party in the country.
Analysts note that Rawalpindi, the nerve centre of Pakistan's military, is seen as one of the country's most secure cities, making the attack even more embarrassing for the government of Gen Musharraf.Analysts note that Rawalpindi, the nerve centre of Pakistan's military, is seen as one of the country's most secure cities, making the attack even more embarrassing for the government of Gen Musharraf.
Scene of griefScene of grief
The explosion occurred close to an entrance gate of the park in Rawalpindi where Ms Bhutto had been speaking.The explosion occurred close to an entrance gate of the park in Rawalpindi where Ms Bhutto had been speaking.
People were distraught at the scene of the blastPeople were distraught at the scene of the blast
Wasif Ali Khan, a member of the PPP who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital, said she died at 1816 (1316 GMT).Wasif Ali Khan, a member of the PPP who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital, said she died at 1816 (1316 GMT).
Supporters at the hospital began chanting "Dog, Musharraf, dog", the Associated Press (AP) reports.Supporters at the hospital began chanting "Dog, Musharraf, dog", the Associated Press (AP) reports.
Some supporters wept while others exploded in anger, throwing stones at cars and breaking windows.Some supporters wept while others exploded in anger, throwing stones at cars and breaking windows.
An interior ministry spokesman, Javed Cheema, was quoted as saying by AFP that she may have been killed by pellets packed into the suicide bomber's vest. Police confirmed reports Ms Bhutto had been shot in the neck and chest before the gunman blew himself up.
However, AP quoted a PPP security adviser as saying she was shot in the neck and chest as she got into her vehicle, before the gunman blew himself up.
Mr Sharif said there had been a "serious lapse in security" by the government.Mr Sharif said there had been a "serious lapse in security" by the government.
Earlier on Thursday, at least four people were killed ahead of an election rally he himself had been preparing to attend close to Rawalpindi.Earlier on Thursday, at least four people were killed ahead of an election rally he himself had been preparing to attend close to Rawalpindi.
Return from exileReturn from exile
The killing was condemned by the US, the UK, Russia and France.The killing was condemned by the US, the UK, Russia and France.
BENAZIR BHUTTO Father led Pakistan before being executed in 1979Spent five years in prisonServed as PM from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996Sacked twice by president on corruption chargesFormed alliance with rival ex-PM Nawaz Sharif in 2006Ended self-imposed exile by returning to Pakistan in OctoberEducated at Harvard and Oxford Obituary: Benazir BhuttoLife in picturesIn pictures: Fatal rallyBENAZIR BHUTTO Father led Pakistan before being executed in 1979Spent five years in prisonServed as PM from 1988-1990 and 1993-1996Sacked twice by president on corruption chargesFormed alliance with rival ex-PM Nawaz Sharif in 2006Ended self-imposed exile by returning to Pakistan in OctoberEducated at Harvard and Oxford Obituary: Benazir BhuttoLife in picturesIn pictures: Fatal rally
"The attack shows that there are still those in Pakistan trying to undermine reconciliation and democratic development in Pakistan," a US state department official said."The attack shows that there are still those in Pakistan trying to undermine reconciliation and democratic development in Pakistan," a US state department official said.
UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he was "deeply shocked" by Ms Bhutto's death and called for "restraint but also unity".UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband said he was "deeply shocked" by Ms Bhutto's death and called for "restraint but also unity".
"Extremist groups... cannot and must not succeed," he added."Extremist groups... cannot and must not succeed," he added.
Russia called on Pakistan's leaders to ensure stability while France spoke of an "odious" act and said it was deeply concerned.Russia called on Pakistan's leaders to ensure stability while France spoke of an "odious" act and said it was deeply concerned.
Ms Bhutto returned from self-imposed exile in October after years out of Pakistan where she had faced corruption charges.Ms Bhutto returned from self-imposed exile in October after years out of Pakistan where she had faced corruption charges.
Her return was the result of a power-sharing agreement with President Musharraf in which he granted an amnesty that covered the court cases she was facing.Her return was the result of a power-sharing agreement with President Musharraf in which he granted an amnesty that covered the court cases she was facing.
Since her return relations with Mr Musharraf had broken down.Since her return relations with Mr Musharraf had broken down.
On the day of her return she led a motor cavalcade through the city of Karachi. It was hit by a double suicide attack that left some 130 dead.On the day of her return she led a motor cavalcade through the city of Karachi. It was hit by a double suicide attack that left some 130 dead.