KARACHI, Pakistan - A suicide bombing in a crowd welcoming former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto killed at least 123 people Thursday night, shattering her celebratory procession through Pakistan’s biggest city after eight years in exile.
Two explosions went off near a truck carrying Bhutto, but police and officials of her party said she was not injured and was hurried to her house. An Associated Press photo showed a dazed-looking Bhutto being helped away.
There were conflicting reports on the number of people killed in the blasts. The Associated Press, citing officials from six hospitals, reported 126 dead and 248 wounded. Reuters, citing witnesses and a police official, reported 123 killed and more than 260 injured. There was no way to immediately reconcile the difference, but these figures make the attack one of the deadliest bomb strikes in Pakistan's history.
I don't know what this portents. It may not be of the same scale as the 9/11 attacks, but it sure seems to be having the same impact on Pakistan. Unless BushCo™ stick their ever miserably incompetent fingers into the aftermath, I think the Islamic militants will find they made a mistake with this attack. Unfortunately, I also believe it will invite more violence into Pakistan's political arena, not less.
And the hits keep coming.
Of all of the people to attack, she is the least dangerous, having just returned and on a very tight leash. This is definitely the religious whakos, as there is no way they want to be reminded that a woman once ruled the country.