Pakistan opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated by a suicide bomber today, plunging the nuclear-armed country into chaos ahead of a general election set for January which could now be postponed.
She was among at least 20 people killed in separate attacks on opposition election rallies in Pakistan. Around 16 were killed at the election rally in Rawalpindi were Ms Bhutto died.
People remove bodies from the site of an explosion at the rally in which Benazir Bhutto was killed in Rawalpindi today
Early reports said the two-time former prime minister was wounded but not seriously. Ms Bhutto (54) was taken to hospital after the attack where her death was declared. Police said the attacker fired shots at her before blowing himself up.
The assassination triggered a wave of anger in her native Sindh province, where she enjoyed huge popular support.
In its capital, Karachi, angry crowds started fires and fired shots. "She has been martyred," said party official Rehman Malik.
The attack attracted widespread condemnation with world leaders saying the assassination constituted an attack on democracy.
Ms Bhutto, who inherited the political dynasty started by her father Zulfikar Ali Bhutto - who was hanged in 1979 after a military coup - had hoped to win an election set for January 8th, giving her a chance to become prime minister for the third time.
"It is the act of those who want Pakistan to disintegrate because she was a symbol of unity," said Farzana Raja, a senior official from Ms Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP).
Pakistan Muslim League leader Nawaz Sharif
Police and military were on "red alert" across the country to clamp down on any violence following her death.
President Pervez Musharraf condemned the killing and urged people to stay calm. He also admitted there had been a "serious lapse in security" on the part of his government and announced three days of national mourning.
Ms Bhutto's main political rival, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, also condemned the assassination and blamed President Pervez Musharraf for an attack on a rally earlier today in which four of his supporters were killed and around 12 injured in Islamabad.
He also announced that his party would boycott the elections due next month.
"Free elections are not possible in the presence of Musharraf," he said.
"My heart is bleeding and I'm as grieved as you are," he told his Pakistan Muslim League.
A Pakistan expert predicted the murder would affect Mr Musharraf's credibility.
Dr Gareth Price from UK foreign policy think tank Chatham House said Mr Musharraf might be forced to postpone or cancel the elections and could lead to a resurgence in support for democratic institutions and a rejection of Islamic militancy.
"The elections may not happen because General Musharraf calls them off and we have a state of emergency. And even if they do happen they will be overshadowed by Ms Bhutto's death.
"It makes Musharraf look weak because his government didn't protect Benazir Bhutto," Dr Price said.
Ms Bhutto became the first female prime minister in the Muslim world when she was elected in 1988 at the age of 35. She was deposed in 1990, re-elected in 1993, and ousted again in 1996 amid charges of corruption and mismanagement.
She said the charges were politically motivated.
Agencies