Benazir Bhutto killed in attack

[juningo 0]

Taken from the BBC News website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7161590.stm

Pakistani former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has been killed in a presumed suicide attack.

News of her death was confirmed by a military spokesman and members of her Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

Ms Bhutto had just addressed an election rally in Rawalpindi when gunfire and an explosion occurred.

At least 15 other people are reported killed in the attack and several more were injured. Ms Bhutto had twice been the country's prime minister.

She had been campaigning ahead of elections due in January.

Nawaz Sharif, also a former prime minister and a political rival, told the BBC her death was a tragedy for "the entire nation".

Mr Sharif said there had been a "serious lapse in security" by the government.

Earlier on Thursday, at least four people were killed ahead of an election rally he himself had been preparing to attend close to Rawalpindi.

An interior ministry spokesman, Javed Cheema, was quoted as saying by AFP that she may have been killed by pellets packed into the suicide bomber's vest.

However, AP quoted a PPP security adviser as saying she was shot in the neck and chest as she got into her vehicle, before the gunman blew himself up.

[patriots_1228 51]

another reason to beleive in hell-so you can picture the attackers burning in it

[Simfan34 11]

Originally posted by: patriots_1228 another reason to beleive in hell-so you can picture the attackers burning in itquote>

 

True, true. It was just waiting to happen though, freedom-hating radicals wanted here gone sadly, thakfully Musharraf himself has denounced it.

[juningo 0]

I just can't believe how anyone can feel that this is 'right'. And surprised that this happened to someone of such political stature to Pakistan. It actually opened my eyes to how bad the situation is in the country. We'll see if this can act as a catalyst for reform and how it affects the upcoming elections.

[GingerBlokey 30]

This makes me feel so angry, she truly was the best hope for Pakistan. I hope that the election goes ahead and that Musharraf looses, I know he has condemed it but I feel that he was probably hoping for something like this.

[Barbarossa 51]

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  Edited September 7, 2012 by Barbarossa  

[confused04 14]

I'm in absolute shock. The voice of Pakistani democracy has been silenced and its a major loss for the Pakistani people. This reminds me of Benigno Aquino who was assassinated on the tarmac in Manila upon return from exile during the dark days of the Marcos administration. It was his death that galvanized the People Power Movement that ousted the corrupt Ferdinand Marcos and his wife, Corazon Aquino was installed as the first democratically elected president in years. I see a lot of parallels between Pakistan and the Philippines and perhaps there will be a People Power Revolution in Pakistan on a scale not seen since 1986. This is very difficult to take in. She really was a great person and I know the Pakistani people will never forget her.

[Silur 3,304]

This is real life ...

And my mind - this is a great loss for World ...

[Micah 16]

Absolutely unbelieveable. RIP, Bhutto... The mother of Pakistani democracy.

[Joesocwork 4]

I'm shocked but I guess given the earlier threats to her I shouldn't be surprised. I wouldn't even come to know if she wanted to be a martyr but I do hope other brave souls step up to continue.

[BurroDiablo 222]

This was bound to happen before she got into office...  I think 'Democracy', in the eastern hemisphere, is now a term accociated with the US and all the 'hethenism' that comes with it. Its a shame that nobody else in the PPP can acctually take over either since their all half-wit lackeys, they'll never get their heads together before the election.

[confused04 14]

The fact that the threat was always apparent makes Benazir an even more admirable political figure. In the face of such staunch fundamentalist opposition and a military regime, she didn't let up. She has more male gonads than most political leaders. Despite the danger, she demanded change and free elections. I personally don't believe that assassinations are "bound" to happen.

[sc4portugal 10]

It's a shame, a real shame, I am quite sad...

[BurroDiablo 222]

Originally posted by: confused04 I personally don't believe that assassinations are "bound" to happen.quote>

Neither do I, but when your a opposition leader against a Military regime in a very volatile country, they've tried to kill you before and they'll stop at nothing to make sure your dead... I would say there is a pretty high possibility that the next Rally you attend could well be your last. She knew this threat existed and still steamed ahead with speeches and Rallies in a hope that it would not come to her staring death in the face, wich is certainly the greatest and most noble thing to do... she put the Pakistani people before herself and theres no doubt in my mind that she will be remembered for many decades to come. What will happen in Pakistan meanwhile has yet to be determined...

[panthersimcity4 162]

oh poop. I liked her. Unfortunately it's not so suprising that she was assassinated, with all these crazy freaks running around with weapons and bombs.

[The boy formerly known as Evil Muzz 27]

Upsetting and disappointing that Pakistan's best chance for democracy is now dead (literally and metaphorically).

But I am not surprised, I knew something like this would happen. To be honest, I never really followed the situation, and had never heard of Bhutto before she ended her exile and returned, but I just knew something would happen.

Rest in Peace.

[Incarnation of Hate 0]

While Bhutto had a pretty corrupt background, it's still incredibly unfortunate that such she, a key figure in Pakistan's stabilization, has been assassinated today. I don't think that Pakistan will erupt into utter anarchy because of this event, yet it is a major setback for the establishment of a sustainable democratic government there.

My sympathies are with her family and the families of all those impacted by this tragedy.

[artoxb 0]

the news really shocked me although it could be forseen. this is a punch into the face of civilization...

[Ded 30]

Sad, but not unexpected.

[chinaman88 0]

i think the most interesting thing we are all waiting for is president bush's response...

[Barbarossa 51]

.

  Edited September 7, 2012 by Barbarossa  

[LarksTonguesInAspic 28]

I suppose it was inevitable. Once again, the bravest one is the biggest target. I understand  that it was on the anniversary of the assassination of Pakistan's first PM and just down the block from where her father was hanged by a military kangaroo court on trumped-up charges.

History doesn't repeat itself, fools repeat history. 

It is the greatest loss for Pakistan, but one that is self-inflicted. NPR was reporting that a good sized segment of the population thought this was a good development. The BBC correspondent in Lahore said he had seen sporadic celebration.

[BurroDiablo 222]

Originally posted by: Barbarossa

Originally posted by: chinaman88 i think the most interesting thing we are all waiting for is president bush's response...quote>

Eh... nope.  I stopped listening to that little monkey a long time ago.

But, hey, welcome to the community!  Always nice to see first posters!

Barbarossaquote>

He just gave one of his generic speeches, showing he couldn't really give a toss...

Nawaz Sharif gave the best speech imo...

[Meg 368]

Originally posted by: Barbarossa

I hope that her death helps to galvanize the movement toward democracy. There is no room in this world for narrow-minded psychotics who want to impose their pathological beliefs on the rest of the citizens of their country (and spread it to the rest of the world).quote>

I second that.  All of it.

Originally posted by: confused04

She has more male gonads than most political leaders. quote>

If you are looking for a non-gender specific, body-part-related word, I think "guts" works well

I personally don't believe that assassinations are "bound" to happen.quote>

I grew up in the 60s.   It seemed back then that they were bound to happen.  Even if it seemed like they were happening at a weird rate. 

[football_fever 6]

Every time she spoke you could tell she wasn't afraid of assassination. She knew it was a constant threat, but she still did this rally anyway, despite an attempted assassination in that exact place.

It comforts me knowing that it's such a small group that are militant like that, and if the whole place was bad she wouldn't have been popularly elected three times. Pakistan wants to change, but it's those suicide bombing troglodytes that keep them from moving their country forward

[TheSixCents 0]

This is a very bad thing.

She was really behind a movement in her region IMO.

Pro-West, Democracy.

No wonder they killed her.

[crazyyaya 4]

Here's another article about her death.

They're now saying an Al-Qaida figure was behind it. This just broke my heart when I heard about this yesterday.She had so much potential to do good in her country. I really hope her legacy can live on and bring freedom to a wartorn region.

[Haljackey 17,303]

...Just a shame. Some analysis suggest that the entire country will soon burst into utter cahos, and I don't have a clue what Musharraf will do with this. Will he win? Will he declare martial law again?

This saddens me greatly. I just hope that the country recovers from this huge blow to the head soon, or something even larger-scale could happen.

[belfastuniguy 18]

A terrible shame indeed. She was as mentioned the best hope for Pakistan and now that hope is dead.

I do not see Pakistan taking this too well, already they have riots and killings across the nation and this I fear will just deepen. There is also some doubt whether the elections will still go ahead, although I no longer see a point in holding them now she has been killed.

This country will continue to fall into crisis and that is most unfortunate. Hopefully things may change in the future. If extremists Muslims are to blame then a purge is needed by the government and measures put in place to at least try and prevent such attacks from happening in future.

A very sad day indeed.

[Red1530 1]

This assassination is a blow to stability to the whole region.  SUNY New Paltz political science professor Lewis Brownstein stated in the Times Herald - Record, a local newspaper, that a civil war is all but inevitable in the country.  This could get ugly because the country has nuclear weapons.

Source: http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071228/NEWS/712280346/-1/NEWS07