Benazir Bhutto assassinated
Just a couple short weeks before Pakistan was to hold elections -- elections that would have likely catapulted her back into power as Prime Minister, a lone gunman/suicide bomber ended those hopes:
Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has been shot dead at an election rally - sparking riots across the country.
The gunman then detonated a bomb, killing at least 15 of her supporters in Rawalpindi. Many more were injured in the suicide blast.
At least four people have been shot dead in rioting as fears grow the nuclear-armed country will be plunged into civil war.
In Karachi, capital of Ms Bhutto's native Sindh province, thousands took to the streets, torching dozens of vehicles and buildings.
"There is trouble almost everywhere," a senior police official said.
The killing came less than two weeks before elections many expected would return Ms Bhutto to power and restore democracy.
Nawaz Sharif, the leader of a rival opposition party, vowed revenge and said his party would boycott the January 8 poll.
He told crowds: "Benazir Bhutto was also my sister, and I will be with you to take the revenge for her death. Don't feel alone. I am with you. We will take the revenge on the rulers."
Leaders around the world condemned the assassination as Pakistan announced three days of mourning.
In an emergency session, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to track down those behind the "reprehensible act".
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "She has been assassinated by cowards afraid of democracy. This attack strengthens our resolve that terrorists will not win."
US President George Bush said those responsible for the killing must be brought to justice.
He added: "The US strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy."
It is not known who killed the 54-year-old, and no group has so far claimed responsibility.
Ms Bhutto was shot in the chest and neck as she got into her car after her speech to thousands in Rawalpindi.
The former PM was unconscious as she was taken to Rawalpindi General Hospital and died soon after. Her body is being taken to her home town in Larkana.
"She has been martyred," said Rehman Malik, a spokesman for her party.
May she rest in peace. Peace, however, won't be what Pakistan gets, as we can see from the reaction to the attack and her death. "Martyr" is being used often to describe her, and this could very well spark a civil war. It could also force the populace to light a fire under Musharraf's butt to go after these animals. Will he? Maybe, but it would look more like lip service than seriousness. If he wishes to stay in power he'd better be deadly serious about hunting down those that planned and executed this attack.
Publius II
Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto has been shot dead at an election rally - sparking riots across the country.
The gunman then detonated a bomb, killing at least 15 of her supporters in Rawalpindi. Many more were injured in the suicide blast.
At least four people have been shot dead in rioting as fears grow the nuclear-armed country will be plunged into civil war.
In Karachi, capital of Ms Bhutto's native Sindh province, thousands took to the streets, torching dozens of vehicles and buildings.
"There is trouble almost everywhere," a senior police official said.
The killing came less than two weeks before elections many expected would return Ms Bhutto to power and restore democracy.
Nawaz Sharif, the leader of a rival opposition party, vowed revenge and said his party would boycott the January 8 poll.
He told crowds: "Benazir Bhutto was also my sister, and I will be with you to take the revenge for her death. Don't feel alone. I am with you. We will take the revenge on the rulers."
Leaders around the world condemned the assassination as Pakistan announced three days of mourning.
In an emergency session, the UN Security Council voted unanimously to track down those behind the "reprehensible act".
Britain's Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "She has been assassinated by cowards afraid of democracy. This attack strengthens our resolve that terrorists will not win."
US President George Bush said those responsible for the killing must be brought to justice.
He added: "The US strongly condemns this cowardly act by murderous extremists who are trying to undermine Pakistan's democracy."
It is not known who killed the 54-year-old, and no group has so far claimed responsibility.
Ms Bhutto was shot in the chest and neck as she got into her car after her speech to thousands in Rawalpindi.
The former PM was unconscious as she was taken to Rawalpindi General Hospital and died soon after. Her body is being taken to her home town in Larkana.
"She has been martyred," said Rehman Malik, a spokesman for her party.
May she rest in peace. Peace, however, won't be what Pakistan gets, as we can see from the reaction to the attack and her death. "Martyr" is being used often to describe her, and this could very well spark a civil war. It could also force the populace to light a fire under Musharraf's butt to go after these animals. Will he? Maybe, but it would look more like lip service than seriousness. If he wishes to stay in power he'd better be deadly serious about hunting down those that planned and executed this attack.
Publius II
posted by Syd And Vaughn | 8:40 PM
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