Blasts rock Benazir�s motorcade, 135 killed

19 October, 2007

Two blasts struck Benazir Bhutto's convoy, killing around 135 people and leaving nearly 400 injured, in an assassination bid on the former Pakistan Prime Minister, who escaped unhurt, hours after her return from an eight-year self-exile.

TWO CONSECUTIVE BLASTS, last night, ripped apart the motorcade of former Pakistan prime Minister and Peoples Party of Pakistan president Benazir Bhutto in Karachi killing 165 people and injuring at least 450 others.

The first blast took place at 12.10 in the night when a hand grenade exploded in front of the Benazir’s cavalcade, comprising a massive gathering of her supporters, who had come to receive her.

The convoy was on its way to Jinnah mausoleum in Karachi to pay homage to the founder of Pakistan. Within a minute, the second blast ignited by a suicide bomber exploded in the rally killing several persons including 20 policemen and maiming several others.

Carnage was witnessed at the site of the blast with blood spilled on roads, dismembered body parts presenting a gory site never seen before, eyewitnesses said. The blasts detonated by suicide members were aimed at Bhutto, who was travelling in the convoy followed by lakhs of supporters of Peoples Party of Pakistan.

Immediately after the blasts, Benazir Bhutto was escorted to her house in Karachi. The PPP leader has come back to Pakistan after eight years after a deal was brokered between President Musharraf and Peoples Party, allowing her to participate in Pakistan politics.

Meanwhile, PPP leadership and Benazir’s husband Asif Ali Zardari, has held the government responsible for the blasts which killed PPP supporters. “These blasts were meant for eliminating Benazir and the govt is responsible for not being able to provide security to her,” he said. He also demanded to know why terrorists were not targeting the present government.

Meanwhile, Karachi Police has said that the immediate cause of the blasts was not known but investigations are on to ascertain the cause and the people behind the blasts. Pakistan envoy, Ali Mohd Durrani speaking to media persons has denied allegations that blasts were triggered by government agencies.

Sindh Governor, has also asked the people in Karachi to remain calm and maintain peace, while terming the incident as inhuman.