The Canadian Press: Benazir Bhutto shot dead at suicide bombing of rally; 20 feared dead
RAWALPINDI, Pakistan - Pakistan's opposition leader Benazir Bhutto died Thursday after being shot during a suicide bomb attack on a political rally, party aides said.
Rehman Malik, Bhutto's security adviser, said she was shot in the neck and chest in Rawalpindi.
The gunman reportedly shot Bhutto as she was getting into her vehicle, then blew himself up.
"At 6:16 p.m. she expired," said Wasif Ali Khan, a member of Bhutto's party who was at Rawalpindi General Hospital.
A senior military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment, confirmed that Bhutto had died.
"We repeatedly informed the government to provide her proper security and appropriate equipment including jammers, but they paid no heed to our requests," Malik said.
Senator Babar Awan, Bhutto's lawyer, said, "The surgeons confirmed that she has been martyred."
Her supporters at the hospital began chanting "Dog, Musharraf, dog," referring to Pakistan's president.
Some of them smashed the glass door at the main entrance of the emergency unit, others burst into tears. One man with a flag of Pakistan People's party tied around his head was beating his chest.
At least 20 others were killed in a blast that took place as Bhutto left a political rally where she addressed thousands of supporters to canvas votes for Jan. 8 parliamentary elections.
Bhutto served twice as Pakistan's prime minister between 1988 and 1996. She had returned to Pakistan from an eight-year exile on Oct. 18.
Her homecoming parade in Karachi was also targeted by a suicide attacker, killing more than 140 people. On that occasion she narrowly escaped injury.
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