Shock in India over Bhutto's assassination

{image-Bhutto-last rally1_27122007.jpg news.oneindia.in}New Delhi, Dec 27: The news of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's death has been received with shock in India with analysts expressing their concern about the 'turbulent situation there'. Chairman of Asian News International, Prem Prakash who knew Bhutto personally and had interviewed her recently, said that in her death, Pakistan has lost its most secular face. During a recent interview in London, Bhutto had said that there were dangers ahead, but she was ready to lead the struggle for restoration of democracy from the front, even though many of her followers advised her against it.

"She was fully aware of the dangers and did not underestimate the threat to her life. However, she was confident that with the support of the people of Pakistan, she would be able to face the dangers," Prakash said. On the relations between India and Pakistan, Bhutto had said, "For the peace in the subcontinent, relations with India had to be improved."

Security analyst, Uday Bhaskar said that the assassination of Benazir Bhutto demonstrates that the government led by President Pervez Musharraf has not been able to provide security even though Benazir had asked for it.

Commenting on the separate attacks on rallies of Nawaz Sharif and Bhutto, Bhaskar said that doubts would be raised whether the lax security situation was a deliberate move and this has to be ascertained.

He said that Benazir was seen in India as a voice of moderation and was voicing the concerns of the liberal constituencies of Pakistan.

Bhutto, 54, was assassinated during a suicide attack on a party rally in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh area ahead of the January 8 polls.

Initial reports said that Bhutto died while being taken to a hospital. At least 20 PPP activists were also killed in the suicide attack.

In her recent statements, Bhutto had criticised the extremists in Pakistan and had pledged to take tough action against the fundamentalists in the country, if she returns to power.

She was also critical of President Musharraf for not taking action against the spread religious fundamentalism in Pakistan.

Bhutto had survived a suicide blast recently when she returned to Karachi on October 18 ending eight years in exile in Dubai and London. ANI>