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Pakistan: Bomb Attack - Attempt to Assassinate Bhutto (Update)

By Jeffrey Imm

A bomb attack occurred near the convoy of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto Thursday night, resulting in a major loss of life, but failing to assassinate Ms. Bhutto.  The bomb attack happened Thursday night as Bhutto's convoy was traveling through Karachi, in her return after 8 years of exile.

AP and CNN are currently reporting the death toll from the blast at 136 dead, with nearly 400 wounded.  Bhutto survived the bomb attack and per Police Chief Azhar Farooqi, "[s]he was evacuated very safely and is now in Bilawal House."   Associated Press reported that AP photographer B.K. Bangash saw between 50 and 60 dead or seriously injured individuals, some of whose bodies were ripped apart.  

CNN and Associated Press report that the bombing was the effort of a suicide bomber, who first threw a grenade as a distraction, and then exploded the larger suicide bomb near Bhutto's convoy, according to Karachi police chief Azhar Farooqi.   AP reports that the attacker's head was found nearby and was being taken to a forensics lab for testing, AP also reports that the suicide bombing was so deadly because nuts, bolts, and steel balls were packed around the explosives.

AP reports that Benazir Bhutto claims that there were two attackers in the deadly bombing attack on Thursday night.  AP states that "[s]he said beside the two attackers, her security guards also found another man armed with a pistol and another with a reported suicide bombing vest."   In a later news conference on October 19,   Bhutto went into more detail regarding the two attackers, according to AP report.  Bhutto stated that her guards prevented greater carnage: "They stood their ground, and they stood all around the truck, and they refused to let the suicide bomber -- the second suicide bomber -- get near the truck".  Bhutto also stated that security was weak due to the lack of streetlights.  In addition, Bhutto said that she had prior warnings of a threat and she had notified Musharraf by letter on October 16 of the prior warnings: "[t]here was one suicide squad from the Taliban elements, one suicide squad from al-Qaida, one suicide squad from Pakistani Taliban and a fourth group, I believe, from Karachi".

AP reports that authorities state that the suicide attack "bore the hallmarks of" Baitullah Mehsud, the Taliban commander who has previously been reported to have threatened Benazir Bhutto.  On October 5, the Pakistan Daily Times reported that Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud threatened suicide attacks against PPP Chairwoman Benazir Bhutto, saying his bombers would be waiting in the wings to "welcome" her when she returns.  The Daily Times report was based on conversations that FATA Senator Saleh Shah had with Taliban's Baitullah Mehsud.  On October 19, however, Reuters reported that Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud told them "I had nothing to do with it".  Reuters states that Mehsud contacted them satellite phone from an undisclosed location.

The Asian Age reports that BBC Pashto service spoke to Taliban spokesman Haji Umer, who states that the Taliban will target Bhutto.  Haji Umer is described as the chief of the Taliban in Pakistani tribal areas.    Umer is quoted as saying: "The Taliban will definitely target Benazir Bhutto if she supports the United States and the so-called war on terror.  Benazir is returning to Pakistan to support the US war against Taliban and they can attack Benazir Bhutto as they had targeted President Pervez Musharraf in the past."

The Daily Telegraph reports that "[i]ntelligence reports had suggested at least three jihadi groups linked to al-Qa'eda and the Taliban were plotting suicide attacks."  The London Times reports that Benazir Bhutto had received a warning just half an hour before the attack.

PTI reports that "[f]ormer Pakistan Premier Benazir Bhutto today said four suicide squads had been sent by Taliban and al-Qaeda to target her and that she had informed President Pervez Musharraf about "certain individuals" in his government who posed a threat to her life."   The London Times reports that Benazir Bhutto "had sent President Musharraf the names of three people whom she suspected of planning the attempt to kill her".

The Times of India reports that Bhutto stated: "[t]he next attack is going to be near my house in Clifton or in Larkana. Commandos will be sent in the garb of supporters of a political party and the attack will be blamed on that party".  A separate Times of India report states that her husband blamed the attack on the Pakistani intelligence organization.

In addition, on September 20, in his "Come to Jihad" message, Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden stated that "[i]t is obligatory on the Muslims in Pakistan to carry out Jihad", and called upon Pakistani Muslims to wage Jihad on the Pakistani government, but specifically referred to President Musharraf.

Daily Telegraph reports that, in a Paris-Match interview with Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto blamed supporters of late military ruler Mohammed Zia ul-Haq for the attack on her procession: "I know exactly who wants to kill me. It is dignitaries of the former regime of General Zia who are today behind the extremism and the fanaticism". 

AP reports that in an interview with Bhutto prior to the attack, that she stated: "[t]his is not the same Pakistan it was in 1996 when my government was overthrown. The militants have risen in power. But I know who these people are, I know the forces behind them, and I have written to Musharraf about this. And I've told him there are certain people I suspect in the administration and security."

CNN reports that security appeared to be lax for the Bhutto procession, and that people could reach out and touch the Bhutto procession as it went by.  On October 17, AP reported that there was substantial security planned for the Bhutto return: 2,500 paramilitary troops deployed around the airport, and 3,500 police to guard her route (with 10,000 troops on standby), including seven bomb-clearing squads, as well as 5,000 Pakistan People's Party (PPP) volunteers are guarding her route.  The Times of India reported that Bhutto had recruited a 5,000-strong private army from among her Pakistan People's Party, known as as "Benazir's Janbaz" (Martyr Force).

The Associated Press initially reported that there was "an initial small explosion was followed by a huge blast just feet from the front of the truck carrying Bhutto".  CNN also reported that "[o]ther officials said at least one bomb apparently had been placed in a car on the street, where Bhutto's supporters had gathered to see her convoy pass. One eyewitness told [CNN reporter] Rivers he saw a car explode with three people inside." New Zealand television news reported that "a black car is currently under the spotlight as the suspected cause of at least one of the explosions".

The Pakistan Daily Times reported that Benazir Bhutto challenged those who had made death threats against her life, saying that anyone who attacked her would "burn in hell".  Bhutto also stated that her return to Pakistan was to "turn... the wheel from dictatorship to democracy, from exploitation to empowerment, from violence to peace", and to create "a society free of extremism".

CNN reports that President Musharraf has promised an investigation into the attack.   KUNA reports that Pakistan's security is on "red alert" after the bomb attack on Bhutto's convoy, and the Asian Times reports that  the Pakistan military plans an "all-out battle for control of Pakistan's restive North and South Waziristan is about to commence", with the  "goal this time is to pacify the Waziristans once and for all".

Sources:

October 20, 2007 - London Times: Benazir Bhutto blames enemies within the Government for suicide bombing

October 19, 2007 - Asian Age: Taliban will target Bhutto

October 19, 2007 - AP:  Bhutto: Suicide squads plotted attack

October 19, 2007 - PTI: Bhutto says Taliban, al-Qaeda had sent suicide squads

October 19, 2007 - CNN: Death toll rises in Bhutto attack

October 19, 2007 - AP: Al-Qaida links cited in Bhutto bomb

October 19, 2007 - Daily Telegraph: Benazir Bhutto blames old regime for bombs

October 19, 2007 - Times of India: My home to be targeted next: Benazir

October 19, 2007 - Times of India: Zardari blames Pakistani intelligence for blasts

October 19, 2007 - Reuters: Don't blame me, says Taleban commander Baitullah Mehsud

October 19, 2007 - London Times: Benazir Bhutto 'was warned of bomb attack

October 19, 2007 - AP: Benazir Bhutto says two attackers in deadly homecoming convoy

October 19, 2007 - KUNA:  Security on red alert in Pakistan after bomb attack on Bhutto's motorcade

October 19, 2007 - Asia Times: Pakistan plans all-out war on militants

October 18, 2007 - AP: Bomb attack kills scores in Pakistan as Bhutto arrives

October 18, 2007 - Reuters: Benazir's convoy attacked in Pakistan, 115 killed

October 18, 2007 - The Daily Telegraph: Twin bombs strike at Benazir Bhutto's parade

October 18, 2007 - Daily Telegraph:  Suicide bombers target Bhutto's homecoming

October 18, 2007 - Pakistan Policy Blog: Two blasts reported near Benazir Bhutto's convoy

October 18, 2007 - Pakistan Daily Times: "I will rid Pakistan of extremism, dictatorship"

October 18, 2007 - The Times of India: Benazir's own army 'ready to die' for her

October 19, 2007 - New Zealand TV3 News: Bombs rip through former Pakistani PM's procession

October 17, 2007 - AP: Bhutto's supporters converge on Karachi ahead of return from 8-year exile

October 17, 2007 - AFP: 10,000 police to guard Bhutto amid Al Qaeda threat

October 5, 2007 - Pakistan Daily Times: Taliban commander Baitullah says his bombers are waiting for Benazir Bhutto