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Bhutto convoy blasts kill scores Bhutto convoy blasts kill scores
(19 minutes later)
More than 100 people have been killed after two bombs exploded among crowds in Karachi celebrating the return of the former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto.More than 100 people have been killed after two bombs exploded among crowds in Karachi celebrating the return of the former Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto.
Ms Bhutto, who was travelling through crowded streets from the city's airport to a rally marking her homecoming after eight years in exile, was not hurt.Ms Bhutto, who was travelling through crowded streets from the city's airport to a rally marking her homecoming after eight years in exile, was not hurt.
The truck carrying her had its windows shattered and a door blown off.The truck carrying her had its windows shattered and a door blown off.
The attacks on the motorcade happened despite a heavy security presence following threats from militant groups.The attacks on the motorcade happened despite a heavy security presence following threats from militant groups.
Several Islamist groups, including pro-Taleban militants, had said they would attack Ms Bhutto on her return after she promised to confront those operating in the northern tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.Several Islamist groups, including pro-Taleban militants, had said they would attack Ms Bhutto on her return after she promised to confront those operating in the northern tribal areas bordering Afghanistan.
Her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, said members of the government and intelligence agencies who were going to lose power were behind the attack.Her husband, Asif Ali Zardari, said members of the government and intelligence agencies who were going to lose power were behind the attack.
Extremists will not be allowed to stop Pakistanis from selecting their representatives through an open and democratic process Gordon JohndroeWhite House Spokesman href="/1/hi/world/europe/7051953.stm">In quotes: Blast reaction From joy to horror Extremists will not be allowed to stop Pakistanis from selecting their representatives through an open and democratic process Gordon JohndroeWhite House Spokesman href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7051953.stm">In quotes: Blast reaction From joy to horror
Ms Bhutto wants to contest parliamentary elections due to be held in January and she had been negotiating with President Pervez Musharraf over a possible power-sharing agreement.Ms Bhutto wants to contest parliamentary elections due to be held in January and she had been negotiating with President Pervez Musharraf over a possible power-sharing agreement.
Mr Musharraf said the attack was a "conspiracy against democracy".Mr Musharraf said the attack was a "conspiracy against democracy".
"The president appealed to the nation and especially the people of Karachi to exercise patience and calm in this hour," said a statement by his office."The president appealed to the nation and especially the people of Karachi to exercise patience and calm in this hour," said a statement by his office.
The White House also condemned the blasts.The White House also condemned the blasts.
"Extremists will not be allowed to stop Pakistanis from selecting their representatives through an open and democratic process," said National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe."Extremists will not be allowed to stop Pakistanis from selecting their representatives through an open and democratic process," said National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
'Splattered with blood''Splattered with blood'
Victoria Schofield, who was on the bus with Ms Bhutto, said the former prime minister had been standing on top of the bus for six hours, but had just gone downstairs to work on a speech when the first bomb exploded.Victoria Schofield, who was on the bus with Ms Bhutto, said the former prime minister had been standing on top of the bus for six hours, but had just gone downstairs to work on a speech when the first bomb exploded.
There was blood all around and it was chaos - we didn't know where to go, what to do Farzana RajaPPP spokeswoman On board Bhutto's flight There was blood all around and it was chaos - we didn't know where to go, what to do Farzana RajaPPP spokeswoman On board Bhutto's flight class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7052022.stm">In pictures: Blast scene
"We were sitting up on the top and suddenly there was this absolute flash of light and a blast," she told the BBC."We were sitting up on the top and suddenly there was this absolute flash of light and a blast," she told the BBC.
"I felt lots of really hot air coming and we all - there were about 15 of us on the top of the bus - we all literally went to the ground.""I felt lots of really hot air coming and we all - there were about 15 of us on the top of the bus - we all literally went to the ground."
Ms Schofield said the first blast was relatively small but that it had had left people sitting on the left-hand side of the bus "splattered with blood".Ms Schofield said the first blast was relatively small but that it had had left people sitting on the left-hand side of the bus "splattered with blood".
She said the first explosion had come from a parked car which police had begun to investigate. Ms Schofield said a second, much larger explosion occurred two minutes later.She said the first explosion had come from a parked car which police had begun to investigate. Ms Schofield said a second, much larger explosion occurred two minutes later.
It is not clear whether the bomber was on foot or in a vehicle.It is not clear whether the bomber was on foot or in a vehicle.
"There was blood all around and it was chaos - and we couldn't understand what was happening - we didn't know where to go, what to do," said Farzana Raja, a spokeswoman for Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP)."There was blood all around and it was chaos - and we couldn't understand what was happening - we didn't know where to go, what to do," said Farzana Raja, a spokeswoman for Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
Most of the dead were members of the PPP, although police vehicles took the main force of the blasts and more than 20 police officers are thought to have died. One cameraman for a local TV station was also killed.Most of the dead were members of the PPP, although police vehicles took the main force of the blasts and more than 20 police officers are thought to have died. One cameraman for a local TV station was also killed.
After the blasts, a dazed Ms Bhutto was immediately rushed from the scene to her Karachi home.After the blasts, a dazed Ms Bhutto was immediately rushed from the scene to her Karachi home.
Power-sharing dealPower-sharing deal
Ms Bhutto flew in from Dubai earlier on Thursday, accompanied by about 100 PPP members.Ms Bhutto flew in from Dubai earlier on Thursday, accompanied by about 100 PPP members.
KEY DATES 06 Oct: Presidential polls held 17 Oct: Supreme Court resumes hearing challenges to Musharraf candidacy 18 Oct: Benazir Bhutto's homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held by mid-January Flying into uncertaintyKEY DATES 06 Oct: Presidential polls held 17 Oct: Supreme Court resumes hearing challenges to Musharraf candidacy 18 Oct: Benazir Bhutto's homecoming 15 Nov: Parliamentary term ends and general election must be held by mid-January Flying into uncertainty
At least 200,000 people turned out to greet her in what correspondents described as a carnival atmosphere, but the crowds slowed the progress of her convoy.At least 200,000 people turned out to greet her in what correspondents described as a carnival atmosphere, but the crowds slowed the progress of her convoy.
Ms Bhutto had been planning to make a speech at the tomb of Pakistan's founding father, Mohammed Ali Jinnah.Ms Bhutto had been planning to make a speech at the tomb of Pakistan's founding father, Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
Ms Bhutto left the country soon after Gen Musharraf seized power in a coup, but returned under a power-sharing deal that could see her becoming prime minister again.Ms Bhutto left the country soon after Gen Musharraf seized power in a coup, but returned under a power-sharing deal that could see her becoming prime minister again.
The US has backed the deal, amid concerns about the military's inability to defeat Islamist militants and Gen Musharraf's rising unpopularity.The US has backed the deal, amid concerns about the military's inability to defeat Islamist militants and Gen Musharraf's rising unpopularity.


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