Karachi rally killed 164

Former Pakistan prime minister Benazir Bhutto had arrived to a joyous welcome in Karachi on Thursday afternoon after eight years in exile. But tears of relief and joy soon turned into shock at the mammoth tragedy that followed hours after.

Bhutto was on her way to a party meeting in Karachi, greeting thousands of supporters who had gathered to welcome her, when two bombs went off right next to her convoy, killing more than 160 people and injuring hundreds others.

The former Pakistan prime minister could have also been hurt or killed, had she not stepped inside the armoured vehicle for a while.Pakistan People’s Party workers and police confirmed Bhutto, was unhurt. She was rushed from the site of the blasts to her home, Bilawal House, soon after the explosions, the party spokesman Farhatullah Babar said.

Police Chief Azhar Farooqi told Dawn News that Bhutto was rushed from the area under contingency plans. ''She was evacuated very safely and is now in Bilawal House,'' Farooqi said.

Rehman Malik, an aide to Bhutto who was travelling with her on the truck, said the blasts went off while she was resting inside the vehicle.
Shock and Chaos

An initial small explosion was followed by a huge blast just feet from the front of the truck carrying Bhutto during a procession to the tomb of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan.

The blast shattered windows in her vehicle and set a police escort vehicle on fire. Those traveling atop the truck with Bhutto climbed down, with one man jumping off while others used a ladder.

Courtesy:IBNLive
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