Pakistan: Bhutto Target of 'Massive' Suicide Attack

November 12, 2007 1:05 PM

Gretchen Peters Reports:

Pakistanbhutto_mn Lahore, Pakistan -- Shortly before banning a planned march by former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, Pakistani security forces warned she should not appear in public, saying they had received "corroborated reporting" that a massive suicide attack is likely to happen in the coming few days targeting Bhutto or a conservative Islamic group.

And today the government of Punjab province issued a seven-day detention order for Bhutto, the chief of operations of Lahore city police told the AP.

"She has been detained, and she won't be allowed to come out," Aftab Cheema said.

Bhutto had planned to launch a 200-mile march on Tuesday to challenge President Pervez Musharraf's imposition of martial law in Pakistan.

The government said Monday it would block her march, the AP reported. According to a report seen by ABC News, the country's anti-terrorist task force believes the attack could take place in or near the Punjabi city of Lahore.

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"It is...suggested that Ms. Benazir Bhutto be advised to avoid exposure at public gatherings/addresses at Lahore," reads the Nov. 12 report by the National Crisis Management Cell.

A conservative Islamic association, the Tabligue Jamaat, may also be targeted, the security unit reported. It did not explain why terrorists might target the organization, which shares many political views with al Qaeda and the Taliban, and which is suspected by some counterterrorism officials of supporting them.

A senior security official in Lahore told ABC News that authorities are positive that there are two would-be suicide bombers on the loose in Lahore. He said authorities were trying to develop a framework for allowing public rallies ahead of planned general elections here, but said authorities would be virtually unable to protect Bhutto, or any public figure, who marched along a public highway here.

"We don't want to give terrorists the opportunity to hit a high profile target here," he said.

This post has been updated.

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November 12, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (14)

User Comments

I'm not sure how a woman gets a leadership position in a predominately muslim nation. This puzzles me.

Posted by: Gary | Nov 12, 2007 1:38:53 PM

There was a statement made on one of your programs that has made me an many others in my community very upset. The atatement was by whom I know not, but it was referring to Presidential canidate Romney and that Mormons are not Christians and that they are a acult. The person that made that statement, I can garuntee, has never attended a Mormon churh meeting or spent anytime with a Mormon family. That atatement has stured MANY members of the Mormon community.
We are CHRISTIANS we are not a cult. It would be well for CBS news to make some sort of statement seperating them from that statement.

Posted by: Robert Sommer | Nov 12, 2007 2:41:56 PM

How a female got elected in a Muslim world:

She is the eldest child of former premier Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, a Pakistani of Sindhi extraction, and Begum ("Lady") Nusrat Bhutto, a Pakistani of Iranian-Kurdish extraction. Benazir studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at the University of Oxford, and has a Harvard University degree.

Posted by: Aunt Suz | Nov 12, 2007 4:35:51 PM

Her days are numbered. She might as well go out fighting for a good cause.

Posted by: Samantha Stickers | Nov 12, 2007 4:42:33 PM

Ms. Bhutto is a powerful figure. Furthermore, she is as "westernized" a person as one can find in Pakistani politics. If she and Musharref could align, we would have a powerful and effective ally in the fight against islamic extremism.

Posted by: Ol' JT | Nov 12, 2007 5:26:09 PM

If you are quetioning how a woman gets to be priminister or even president in a muslim country. Let me set you straight. Islam mandates equality for women women and men are considered. equal and should be treated in a fair equal way. It's MEN that treat the women unfairly not the religion. Men have abused the religion and Hijacked it for their own needs and desires. It's Men that gives, Islam a bad name. Islam is a religion of Peace and Tranquility.

Posted by: Adeeb N. | Nov 12, 2007 5:36:00 PM

Aunt Suz, and she's been PM twice. Constitution of Pakistan says the limit is only twice, she wants unlimited terms. Plus, she's run pakistan into the ground TWICE already. Both times on corruption. both times pakistan was near bankruptcy. ever think about that? what do you think she will do with the aid the US gives her? spend it on herself. HAHA, funny, the only reason you want her leading is shes a woman? thats a pretty bad reason. Only reason you don't Hillary as President is? cause she's a woman. WOW, the hypocrisy.

Posted by: john | Nov 12, 2007 10:25:49 PM

Samantha Stickers, fighting for a good cause? you should seriously look up her history. shes a wanted criminal by interpol, he husband is wanted in pakistan.

Posted by: john | Nov 12, 2007 10:28:15 PM

I agree that Bhutto and Musharraf could be a good combination. I have serious questions however, about her rationality. How many would die in her Long March? Wouldn't Musharrah's opposition blame him and not extremists?

The sad fact is that the majority of Pakistanis hail OBL and are represented by the lawyers ABC shows being arrested. I wonder why ABC supports this myth? I wonder when ABC will report on why Reagan prevented an Israeli/Indian strike on Pak's nuclear facility in 1983 but allowed a strike on Saddam.

I wouldn't do an obit on Musharraf yet. He survived Sharif despite Clinton's order to arrest Musharraf. Hillary's meeting with him is gong to be very strange. Yes. Bhutto's history is clouded and she does not represent the majority of Pakistanis. Though I am Left-leaning, the administration has tried to walk a careful line as opposed to Obama's suggestion we start bombing. If Clinton supports US policy pushing a Bhutto/Musharraf alliance, will Edwards and Obama call her a Republican this week during the debate? This is not the way to create policy. Cutting funds to the Pakistani army is not very prudent either. Bhutto's death neither helps our self-interest nor that of Pakistan. We Americans should not be so partisan when considering the situations facing us.

Posted by: MT | Nov 13, 2007 1:05:24 AM

what the blog guys? honestly

Posted by: Mathius Bowmstein | Nov 13, 2007 9:11:23 AM

I could care less about her heritage or educational background. She is frought with contraversy and opposes the current government to instill order against Islamic Terrorists. Her past history with Pakistan is mired in criminal behavior that has yet to be fully explained. Just like the ACLU in the US, she is more of a pain to the country than a benefit.

Posted by: Hog Wild | Nov 15, 2007 10:03:59 AM

I think her days are numbered.

Posted by: Samantha Bumpers | Nov 15, 2007 4:22:00 PM

I too am amazed as to how a woman can become so powerful in a Muslim country. But this is not the first time nor the first muslim country. And I am sure it will not be the last. The dymamics of these politics are unusual to say the least and I do not think that any American can truly understand why it is truely happening. In any event, whatever she stands for and regardless of how shady her past, she seems to be very popular. And the Pakistani government is afraid of her. From my personal point of view, I would like to see how this situation plays out. Hopfully she will not get assasinated anytime soon. By the way MT... great observation!

Posted by: Carl_1970 | Nov 20, 2007 4:33:08 PM

ALL THIS DONE BY GANDOO MUSHARAF BECAUSE HE WANT TO FOOT LONG HIS DURATION IN PAKISTAN.

I M REALLY SURE THAT IF MUSHARAF JAISA KAMINA PERSON PAKISTAN KA SUUDDAR RAHA TO AMERICA KIYA WE WILL HAVE TO FIGHT WITH NEPAL..............

AND YOU ALL KNOW BB WAS THE GREAT LEADER.

I REALLY MISS HER..

MAY ALLAH PROTECT PAKISTAN....

Posted by: BABA ABR | Jan 9, 2008 4:48:16 AM

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