The Wardman Wire

Via Ordovicius, Benazir Bhutto was assassinated two hours ago:

Benazir Bhutto has been assassinated. Sources say Bhutto was shot in the neck and the chest as she got into her vehicle and then the gunman blew himself up.

Further details from the BBC:

Ms Bhutto had just addressed an election rally in Rawalpindi when she was shot in the neck by a gunman who then set off a bomb.

At least 15 other people died in the attack and several more were injured.

President Pervez Musharraf and his government called on people to remain calm so that the “nefarious designs of terrorists can be defeated.”

There were no immediate claims of responsibility for the attack.

Ms Bhutto, leader of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), had twice been the country’s prime minister and had been campaigning ahead of elections due in January.

It was the second suicide attack against her in recent months and came amid a wave of bombings targeting security and government officials.

Nawaz Sharif, also a former prime minister and a political rival, said her death was a tragedy for “the entire nation”.

“It is not a sad day, it is [the] darkest, gloomiest day in the history of this country,” he said, speaking at the hospital where she was taken.

The United Nations Security Council is to meet for emergency consultations shortly to discuss the situation in Pakistan after the killing.

The most informed debate about the consequences is likely to be on Pickled Politics when Sunny posts the story.

For me, firstly I offer my condolences to the family and friends of Benazir Bhutto - and to those who looked to her to help create a democratic future for Pakistan.

Secondly, I think that the more moderating and democratic forces which are snuffed out in Pakistan - the more difficult it will be to stabilise the situation. This is the last thing they - or we - need.

Tags: benazir bhutto, pakistan, assassination, murder