Benazir Bhutto Killed in Attack on Rally

Former Pakistani PM dies in surgery; 15 others killed in suicide bombing
By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 27, 2007 7:13 AM CST
Benazir Bhutto Killed in Attack on Rally
Supporters of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto offer her shawl, a gesture of respect, during her visit to Peshawar, Pakistan for the election campaign, Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007. Bhutto and other leaders are campaigning for the coming Pakistan's general elections in January 2008. (AP Photo/Mohammad...   (Associated Press)

Benazir Bhutto died in surgery today after an explosion at a rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. The suicide attacker detonated a bomb as the former prime minister left the rally where thousands were gathered to hear her speak. "She has been martyred," said a spokesman for Bhutto's party. The interior ministry confirmed Bhutto's death, but the government has said nothing about the fate of January's election. At least 15 others died in the blast.

It remains unknown if Bhutto died from the bombing itself or a near-simultaneous close-range shooting. The opposition leader's death comes only hours after a shooting at a rally for another candidate, Nawaz Sharif. Pervez Musharraf has not made any announcement about Bhutto's death and whether he will cancel elections or reimpose martial law. (More Benazir Bhutto stories.)

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