'Benazir's slayers had rehearsed her assassination plan'

Rawalpindi, Feb 14 : Former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto killers had visited Liaquat Ali Bagh and rehearsed their plan a day before her assassination, Additional Inspector General of Police and CID Chief Abdul Majeed has claimed. Benazir was assassinated in Rawalpinidi on December 27 soon after she addressed an election rally at the Liaquat Ali Bagh.

The terrorists, who were involved in the Benazir's assassination, have confessed their involvement in December 27 plot, Majid told reporters. Divulging further details, he said that five terrorists - Saeed alias Bilal, Hasnain Gul, Rafaqat, Ikramullah and an unidentified person - assembled at the residence of Rafaqat, a taxi driver, in Rawalpindi on December 26 and finalised the assassination plan. In fact the rebels had decided to hit Benazir from different directions during or after the public meeting, The News quoted Majid, as saying. On December 27, Rafaqat dropped the three suicide bombers at the Committee Chowk and they walked to Liaqat Bagh and followed the set plan.

"As she came out of her vehicle to wave to the party workers, Saeed alias Bilal blew himself up after firing shots at her," Majid said. After killing of his close friends in the Lal Masjid operation, Hasnain Gul had vowed to avenge the deaths and developed links with a terrorist outfit in Miranshah and got training in a camp there.

Benazir's assassination plan was prepared in November last year, said Majid adding that the terrorists were of the view that Benazir had returned to Pakistan with the US backing and she would target the Taliban and religious extremists after coming to power.

ANI