Bomber kills over 100 in Pakistan
Two blasts hit near former premier Bhutto after she returns from 8 year exile
A suspected suicide bomber detonated himself 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 115 people, 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.
Scene of the deadly explosions (Photo: AFP)
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.
"The United States condemns the violent attack in Pakistan and mourns the loss of innocent life there," Gordon Johndroe, White House National Security Council spokesman said. Extremists will not be allowed to stop Pakistanis from selecting their representatives through an open and democratic process."
In a statement issued by the state run news agency, Musharraf said the attack represented "A conspiracy against democracy".
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Speaking from Dubai, Asif Ali Zardari, Bhutto's husband, told ARYONE World
Television: "I blame government for these blasts. It is the work
of the intelligence agencies."
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy sent condolences and his sympathy to the Pakistani president and to the political authorities in Pakistan as well as to the families of the victims.
