This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7161590.stm

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 9 Version 10
Benazir Bhutto killed in attack Benazir Bhutto killed in attack
(30 minutes later)
Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been assassinated in a 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 she was shot in the neck by a gunman who then reportedly set off a bomb. Ms Bhutto had just addressed an election rally in Rawalpindi when she was shot in the neck by a gunman who then set off a bomb.
At least 15 other people died 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. There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack.
Nawaz Sharif, also a former prime minister and a political rival, told the BBC her death was a tragedy for "the entire nation". Ms Bhutto, leader of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), had twice been the country's prime minister and had been campaigning ahead of elections due in January.
"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 her in recent months and came 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. Nawaz Sharif, also a former prime minister and a political rival, said her death was a tragedy for "the entire nation".
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. "It is not a sad day, it is [the] darkest, gloomiest day in the history of this country," he said, speaking at the hospital where she was taken.
The PPP has the largest support of any party in the country. The United Nations Security Council is to meet for emergency consultations shortly to discuss the situation in Pakistan after the killing.
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 attack 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).
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.
Police confirmed reports Ms Bhutto had been shot in the neck and chest before the gunman blew himself up.Police confirmed reports Ms Bhutto had been shot in the neck and chest before the gunman blew himself up.
She died at 1816 (1316 GMT), said Wasif Ali Khan, a member of the PPP who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital.
Some supporters at the hospital wept while others exploded in anger, throwing stones at cars and breaking windows.
Police in the north-western city of Peshawar are reported to have used tear gas and batons to break up a demonstration by angry Bhutto supporters and there were also protests in other cities.
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. But an old friend of Ms Bhutto, Salman Tassir, told the BBC World Service he did not think criticism should be directed at the government.
"There have been suicide attacks on Gen Musharraf also," he told Newshour.
"... I mean it is extremism and the fanatics who are to blame."
Earlier on Thursday, at least four people were killed ahead of an election rally Mr Sharif had been preparing to attend close to Rawalpindi.
Ms Bhutto's death has plunged the PPP into confusion and raises questions about whether January elections will go ahead as planned, the BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says.
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 and others.
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 said "extremist groups... [could] not and must not succeed".
"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.
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.
It was only a matter of time before the darker forces... carried out this action Helen Stynes Swaffham Have your say
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.