51 Dead as 2 Blasts hit Near Pakistani Former Premier Bhutto

[mod mom]

51 dead, 150 wounded as 2 blasts hit near former premier Bhutto after her return to Pakistan

PAISLEY DODDS
AP Features

Oct 18, 2007 16:40 EDT

Two bombs went off Thursday night near a truck carrying former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on her triumphant return to Pakistan after eight years in exile, killing at least 51 people and wounding 150, an official said. Party workers and police said Bhutto was unhurt.



Associated Press photographer B.K. Bangash at the scene said he saw between 50 and 60 dead or badly injured people. He said some of the bodies were ripped apart.

An initial small explosion was followed by a huge blast just feet from the front of the truck carrying Bhutto during a procession through Karachi. The blast shattered windows in her vehicle and set a police escort vehicle on fire.

Those traveling atop the truck with Bhutto climbed down, with one man jumping off while others climbed down. Bhutto's lawyer, Sen. Babar Awan, said that the former premier was safe.


-snip
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/2007/10/2_blasts_hit_near_bhutto_in_pa.php

[LakeSamish706]

1. CNN just updated the death toll to 118.. ugh... n/t

[Warpy]

4. They are blaming it on Taliban and local warlords

who have the most to lose if the country moves toward reform and democracy, but who knows?

She is an incredibly brave woman to go back. I just hope those evil, controlling men don't find it necessary to kill more in their hissy fit over her return.

[malaise]

6. That's bullshit

The military have the most to lose and everyone knows that Bush and the Brits virtually forced her return on Mushie.

Check Pakistan's Dawn newspaper from today to see the security lockdown in Karachi.

[Warpy]

7. Yeah, I figured it was bullshit.

Thanks for the cite.

[SoCalDem]

2. This whole thing needs to be filed under

WTF were you thinking, Ms Bhutto?

I cannot understand anyone would think it's good idea to return to a country that is not anywhere near the way it was when she last lived there.

her own father was executed there, and a weak promise from Musharraf to "share power", is enough to get her to return..why?

a woman MAY have been able to rule (like she did before) back then...but not NOW..and not for the foreseeable future.

To put herself, her family and the innocent bystanders in the line of fire from car bombers, is reckless in the least, and shameful in the worst case.

[LakeSamish706]

3. I tend to agree with you, and especially on the innocent bystanders...

However, it would be wrong to have to live in fear for the rest of your life as well. Not sure what power share means either, or if Musharraf would really entertain this but Pakistan needs something other than him as a leader for the country.

[malaise]

5. It will be close to 200 before this is over

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7051804.stm