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Pakistanis Fear Another Unsolved Political Slaying

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The Associated Press

Published: December 31, 2007

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Who killed Benazir Bhutto?

Many Pakistanis fear that the former prime minister's assassination Thursday will remain yet another unsolved political mystery.

Gathered around television sets in homes, offices and tea shops, hundreds of thousands of Pakistanis watched the assassination of Bhutto, 54, as she waved to supporters from the sunroof of her white, bulletproof sport utility vehicle.

But many say the most disturbing image came in the minutes after Bhutto was killed: Live broadcasts showed workers hosing down the street to wash away the blood and, with it, vital DNA evidence of a suicide bomber.

Adding to the mystery surrounding Benazir Bhutto's death, on Saturday night Dawn News aired photos taken by an amateur photographer Thursday showing two people apparently involved in the attack. A clean-shaven suspect wearing sunglasses is shown pointing a handgun at Bhutto from behind the bomber. The image supports theories that two people were involved.

Bhutto, the world's first female leader of a Muslim country, narrowly survived an assassination attempt in October during her jubilant homecoming after years in exile. More than 140 people were killed in coordinated bombings. Police have not resolved that case.

Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party has blamed President Pervez Musharraf and his government for her death. Government officials say they have evidence that a pro-Taliban commander, Baitullah Mehsud, orchestrated the attacks.

Mehsud's spokesman called the allegation "government propaganda."

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