This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/7051804.stm

The article has changed 23 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 6 Version 7
Bhutto convoy bombs kill dozens Bhutto convoy bombs kill dozens
(10 minutes later)
At least 108 people have been killed including police and 100 wounded after two bombs hit crowds greeting returning Pakistani ex-PM Benazir Bhutto. At least 125 people have been killed including police and 100 wounded after two bombs hit crowds greeting returning Pakistani ex-PM Benazir Bhutto.
Ms Bhutto was being driven in a convoy through crowded streets from Karachi airport to a rally to mark her homecoming after eight years in exile.Ms Bhutto was being driven in a convoy through crowded streets from Karachi airport to a rally to mark her homecoming after eight years in exile.
Ms Bhutto was not among the casualties and has been driven to safety.Ms Bhutto was not among the casualties and has been driven to safety.
Hundreds of thousands of people had turned out to greet the former PM, amid a huge security presence.Hundreds of thousands of people had turned out to greet the former PM, amid a huge security presence.
Several Islamist groups including pro-Taleban militants have made threats against Ms Bhutto.Several Islamist groups including pro-Taleban militants have made threats against Ms Bhutto.
There was blood all around and it was chaos - we didn't know where to go, what to do Farzana RajaPPP spokeswoman There was blood all around and it was chaos - we didn't know where to go, what to do Farzana RajaPPP spokeswoman class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7049917.stm">Flying into uncertainty
Police have cordoned off the scene of the blasts.Police have cordoned off the scene of the blasts.
The area around a stage where she was due to give a speech to supporters has been evacuated.The area around a stage where she was due to give a speech to supporters has been evacuated.
Police say the bombings may have been suicide attacks.Police say the bombings may have been suicide attacks.
The US White House condemned the attacks. The US White House condemned the blasts.
"Extremists will not be allowed to stop Pakistanis from selecting their representatives through an open and democratic process," said spokesman Gordon Johndroe."Extremists will not be allowed to stop Pakistanis from selecting their representatives through an open and democratic process," said spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
Rushed awayRushed away
The first explosion was relatively small but was followed by a much larger blast close to the front of Ms Bhutto's truck, which broke its windows and door.The first explosion was relatively small but was followed by a much larger blast close to the front of Ms Bhutto's truck, which broke its windows and door.
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 href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7049917.stm">Flying into uncertainty class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7051051.stm">On board Bhutto's flight 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 On board Bhutto's flight class="" href="/1/hi/world/south_asia/7051666.stm">Crowds greet homecoming
"There was blood all around and it was chaos - and we couldn't understand what was happening all around - we didn't know where to go, what to do," said Farzana Raja, a spokeswoman for the Pakistan People's Party (PPP)."There was blood all around and it was chaos - and we couldn't understand what was happening all around - we didn't know where to go, what to do," said Farzana Raja, a spokeswoman for the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
It is thought the bomber was on foot, as police had almost completely surrounded the truck.It is thought the bomber was on foot, as police had almost completely surrounded the truck.
Police vehicles took the main force of the blasts and at least eight police were killed.Police vehicles took the main force of the blasts and at least eight police were killed.
Most of the dead were members of the PPP. One cameraman for a local TV station was also killed.Most of the dead were members of the PPP. One cameraman for a local TV station was also killed.
Correspondents say Ms Bhutto may have been shielded from the blast by an overhang because she was sitting on top of the truck at the time.Correspondents say Ms Bhutto may have been shielded from the blast by an overhang because she was sitting on top of the truck at the time.
The former prime minister was immediately rushed from the scene to her Karachi residency, according to contingency plans.The former prime minister was immediately rushed from the scene to her Karachi residency, according to contingency plans.
Power-sharing dealPower-sharing deal
Ms Bhutto flew in from Dubai earlier on Thursday, accompanied on the flight by about 100 PPP members.Ms Bhutto flew in from Dubai earlier on Thursday, accompanied on the flight by about 100 PPP members.
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.
The BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Karachi says that despite being away for eight years, Ms Bhutto is still enormously popular as a scion of Pakistan's pre-eminent political dynasty.The BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Karachi says that despite being away for eight years, Ms Bhutto is still enormously popular as a scion of Pakistan's pre-eminent political dynasty.
Ms Bhutto left the country soon after Gen Musharraf seized power in a coup, but returned under a power-sharing deal with the president which 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 with the president which 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.


Are you in the area? Have you been affected? You can send us your experiences using the form below:Are you in the area? Have you been affected? You can send us your experiences using the form below:
Name
Name