A ray of hope for the future of Pakistan was killed by a terrorist.

(RAWALPINDI, Pakistan) - As she was leaving a public campaign rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was killed by a suicide bomber today in a crowded park. More than 15 people were killed and several were injured.

Eyewitnesses told reporters that Ms. Bhutto was just leaving the rally when an unidentified gunman shot her in the neck and in hte chest before detonating a bomb in the crowd. Ms. Bhutto was was officially pronounced dead at a hospital she was transported to.

“She has been martyred,” said Ms. Bhutto’s security adviser Rehman Malik told the crowd.

Ms. Bhutto survived an assassination attempt earlier this year when a suicide bomber attacked her cavalcade during a welcome parade held in her honor. More than 130 people were killed that day as she returned to Pakistan from an eight-year self-imposed exile. She was allowed to return after embattled President General Perez Musharraf granted her amnesty.

She was warned at the time that her life was in jeopardy but she chose the role of leading her country over safety. In fact, reports indicate that even while campaigning for the January elections in the park today, she affirmed that she understood her safety was an issue.

“I put my life in danger and came here because I feel this country is in danger. People are worried. We will bring the country out of this crisis,” Ms. Bjutto stated to the rally before she was killed.

Upon hearing of her death, former Prime Minister and political opponent Nawaz Sharif made statements about his remorse outside of Rawalpindi General Hospital, where Ms. Bhutto died.

“My heart is bleeding and I’m as grieved as you are,” he told the grief-stricken Pakistanis.

At the age of 54, Ms. Bhutto was a key member in the Pakistan Peoples’ Party. She had previously served as Prime Minister twice between 1988 and 1996.

More at http://www.salem-news.com/articles/december272007/bhutto_death_122707.ph...