Pakistan Opposition Leader Benazir Bhutto Assassinated in Suicide Attack

Benazir Bhutto, a Pakistan opposition leader and former prime minister, was assissinated on Thursday in a suicide attack that killed 20 others at a campaign rally. Bhutto's death has now thrown the upcoming January 8th parliamentary elections into chaos, and has created fears of mass protests and violence across the country.

The suicide bomber struck just minutes after Bhutto had addresses thousands of supporters in the city of Rawalpindi, about 8 miles south of Islamabad. Bhutto, 54, was shot in the neck and chest by the attacker, who thus blew himself up. 20 others were also killed at the rally.

Wasif Ali Khan, a member of Bhutto's party, said, "At 6:16 p.m., she expired." And Bhutto's lawyer, Babar Awan, said, "The surgeons confirmed that she has been martyred."

Supporters at the hospital where Bhutto was taken exploded in anger as news of her death circulated, smashing the glass door at the main entrance to the emergency unit. A few also began stoning cars outside the parking lot.

So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the attack on Bhutto. However, that did not stop Bhutto's supporters from pointing fingers as they began chantting "Killer, Killer, Musharraf," which referrs to the current Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, Bhutto's primary political opponent.

With Bhutto now dead, a void is left at the top of her political party, which is the largest political group in the country. As Pakistan heads into parliamentary elections, it is now feared that nuclear-armed country could descend into violence during the crucial vote.