Suspected Suicide Blasts Aimed at Bhutto Kill 119, Wound 240 in Pakistan

At least 119 people are now confirmed dead and more than 240 others wounded in two explosions in Karachi, Pakistan aimed at returning former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

Authorities say Ms. Bhutto was unhurt in the attack and was evacuated safely to a family residence, Bilawal House in Karachi.

The authorities say the blasts occurred shortly after Thursday local time near an armored truck carrying Ms. Bhutto. They ripped through thousands of people gathered in the streets to witness Ms. Bhutto's return after eight years in self-imposed exile in Dubai and London.

Ms. Bhutto had landed in Karachi on what was to be a triumphant return to Pakistan. She wept as she stepped off a plane from Dubai and expressed the hope that she will live up to her supporters' expectations.

Islamic militants had threatened suicide bomb attacks against Ms. Bhutto, but she had denounced the threats, saying her return was a risk worth taking.

Ms. Bhutto served twice as Pakistan's prime minister, but left the country under a cloud of corruption charges in 1999. She is planning to run in parliamentary elections set for early 2008.

President Pervez Musharraf had asked Ms. Bhutto to delay her homecoming until the Supreme Court decides on legal challenges to his recent re-election. The president has introduced an ordinance granting Ms. Bhutto amnesty from charges of corruption, a first step toward a power-sharing deal.

In Washington, the U.S. National Security Council spokesman (Gordon Johndroe) condemned the attack and said the United States mourns "the loss of innocent life" in Karachi.

ENDS

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