Benazir Killing Shocks Leaders and Well-wishers - Updates
From Divvy Kant Upadhyay
for Daijiworld Media Network - Global
Exclusive Update at 10-15 pm IST
Rawalpindi, Dec 27: According to media reports that are emerging from Pakistan, certain clarity is now being established with regards to the events that took place leading to the death of former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
According to Rasheed, a journalist who was present at the rally and who witnessed the event from close quarters spoke to media channels saying that after Benazir Bhutto addressed the rally, She got down from the stage and walked towards her Land Cruiser car along with her security chiefs.
As soon as she entered the car, the car was surrounded by supporters of her party who were shouting slogans. Always known for reaching out to the public whenever she got an opportunity, Benazir Bhutto, put her head out of the car and waved to the supporters who were shouting slogans. Just then, a few bullets were fired two of which hit Benazir on the neck and then on the face.
At the same time, a bike ridden by a suicide bomber hit the car from which Benazir was waving to her supporters. After the bullets were fired, the bike hit the car and caused a huge explosion killing nearly 30 people on the spot. The assassins also reportedly blew themselves up after the bike hit the car. Benazir was taken to the Rawalpindi Genreal Hospital where she was declared Dead.
Nawaz Sharif, also former Pakistani prime minister, visited the hospital where Benazir breathed her last. Looking very distraught and reportedly having broken down on a private televison channel, Nawaz Sharief put the blame on the goverment and called it a very tragic incident. Ealrier in the day, at a rally attended by Nawaz Sharief in Rawalpindi itself, four people died in a firing.
In India, PM Manmohan Singh has expressed his deep shock and is reportedly horrified by the gory act. Leader of Opposition LK Advani spoke to the PM and was assured that he would be briefed by the National Security Adviser soon. Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee also condemned the attack.
Chairperson of Pakistan Human Rights Commission, Asma Jehangir was heard crying inconsolably in a phone interview to the NDTV news channel.
Bhutto's Father Zulfikhar Ali Bhutto was also hanged to death in the town of Rawalpindi. It was also Rawalpindi, where Pakistan premier Liaqat Ali Khan was assasinated years ago.
Pakistand president Musharraf is holding an emergency meeting while there are reports of riots and violence breaking out on the streets of Karachi which is considered a stronghold of the PPP, Pakistan Peoiple's Party, which was founded by Zulfikhar and presently headed by his daughter, the now Late Benazir Bhutto.
Fourth Violent End in Bhutto Family
PTI
Islamabad: The Bhutto family was tragedy prone and its members over two generations had met a violent end culminating in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto on Thursday.
The seeds for the family's brush with tragedy were sown when Benazir's father and former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was hanged on April 4, 1979.
Bhutto's end came after worldwide appeals for clemency were dismissed by the then acting President Gen Zia ul Haq.
The family was enveloped in tragedy within a year when Bhutto's brother Shahnawaz was killed under suspicious circumstances in France.
The killing of another of her brothers Mir Murtaza in 1996 contributed to destabilising her second term as prime minister.
The last picture of Benazir waving at the crowds, just before being killed
A view of the spot of blast
Latest news in brief - from Pakistan
- Well-planned attack, executed with precision
- Five bullets reported to have been found on her body, having been hit in the head, neck and chest
- Two assailants might have been involved, reportedly using AK-47 rifles
- To ensure she would not survive this second attempt on her life in a month's time, the suicide attack was employed
- She was rushed to Rawalpindi General Hospital
- Not responding the medical attention, she breathed her last ata 6-46 pm IST
- Indian and world leaders express shock
- Large-scale violence reported Pakistan, following the killing
Read the first news flash: Rawalpindi: Benazir Bhutto Killed in Blast