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Phone Call Ties al-Qaeda to Bhutto Killing

Pakistan releases transcript as rioting claims at least 23 lives

By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 28, 2007 2:24 PM CST
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(Newser) – The Pakistani government offered the transcript of an intercepted phone call today as evidence that the Benazir Bhutto's murder was the work of Baitullah Mehsud, an extremist linked to al Qaeda and the Taliban, the AP reports. In the transcript, Mehsud congratulates an operative for a "spectacular job" in the suicide bombing, saying, "They were very brave boys who killed her."

Mehsud is also said to be behind the October assassination attempt on Bhutto that left more than 140 dead. Meanwhile, rioters who blame the government for the attack ransacked banks and factories, burned trains and train stations, and battled police as the chaos erupting across the country claimed at least 23 lives. "Nobody is secure, there is total insecurity," said ex-PM and opposition leader Nawaz Sharif.

People carry the coffin of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto for burial at her ancestral grave yard in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh near Larkana, Pakistan, on Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. Bhutto was killed on Thursday in a suicide attack with 20 others. (AP Photo/Shakil Adil)
People carry the coffin of Pakistan's former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto for burial at her ancestral grave yard in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh near Larkana, Pakistan, on Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. Bhutto was killed...   (Associated Press)
Angry supporters of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto burn tires during a protest rally in Lahore, Pakistan Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. Bhutto's supporters rampaged through cities Friday to protest her assassination less than two weeks before a crucial election, ransacking banks and setting train stations ablaze, officials said. (AP Photo/K...
Angry supporters of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto burn tires during a protest rally in Lahore, Pakistan Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. Bhutto's supporters rampaged through cities Friday to protest her...   (Associated Press)
Angry supporters of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto burn a police vehicle during a protest rally in Gujaranwala, Pakistan Friday, Dec. 28, 2007,. Bhutto's supporters rampaged through cities Friday to protest her assassination less than two weeks before a crucial election, ransacking banks and setting train stations ablaze, officials said....
Angry supporters of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto burn a police vehicle during a protest rally in Gujaranwala, Pakistan Friday, Dec. 28, 2007,. Bhutto's supporters rampaged through cities Friday...   (Associated Press)
Pakistani paramilitary troops patrol to ensure security in Hyderabad, Pakistan on Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. Army soldiers patrolled the streets of the southern cities of Hyderabad and Karachi in an effort to quell violence following the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto, witnesses said. (AP Photo/Pervez Masih)
Pakistani paramilitary troops patrol to ensure security in Hyderabad, Pakistan on Friday, Dec. 28, 2007. Army soldiers patrolled the streets of the southern cities of Hyderabad and Karachi in an effort...   (Associated Press)
Smoke rises from a burning vehicle and motorbike set on fire by angry supporters of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto during a protest rally in Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, Dec 28, 2007. Bhutto's supporters rampaged through cities to protest her assassination less than two weeks before a crucial election, ransacking...
Smoke rises from a burning vehicle and motorbike set on fire by angry supporters of slain opposition leader Benazir Bhutto during a protest rally in Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday, Dec 28, 2007. Bhutto's...   (Associated Press)
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Pakistan fingers al-Qaeda leader in Bhutto killing
Reuters

Chaos erupts as Bhutto is buried
NPR

 
Pakistan • Benazir Bhutto • assassination • riots • Pakistan militants • al-Qaeda

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