Brutal Assassination Attempt On Bhutto

Two explosions near the truck carrying former Prime Minister of Pakistan Benazir Bhutto have killed more than 100 bystanders. Bhutto was unhurt, despite the explosions going off just a short distance from her vehicle.

KARACHI, Pakistan - Two explosions went off Thursday night near a truck carrying former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on her celebratory return to Pakistan after eight years in exile. Police said she was unhurt, but hospital officials and witnesses said at least 108 others were killed and more than 150 wounded.

There were conflicting reports on the number of people killed in the blasts. The Associated Press, citing hospital officials, reported 108 dead. Reuters, citing witnesses and a police official, reported 115 killed. There was no way to immediately reconcile these differences.

An initial small explosion was followed by a huge blast just feet from the front of the truck carrying Bhutto during a procession through Karachi. The blast shattered windows in her vehicle. Neither Bhutto nor any of the others riding on the truck was hurt, police officer Hasib Beg said.

Authorities believe it was a suicide bomber at this point. Al Qaeda attempted an assassination of Bhutto in 1993. If it was a suicide bomber, that points more to al Qaeda than to anyone else. But this one is going to take some time to sort out.