Pak Punjab Governor Taseer assassinated by his own bodyguard

Islamabad, Jan 4 (ANI): The Governor of Pakistan's Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was assassinated by one of his own elite security force protectors, who opened fire on him when he was moving towards his car in Kohsar Market here on Tuesday.

Malik Mumtaz Hussain Qadri, the bodyguard, has been arrested after the incident.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik confirmed the arrest saying Malik has confessed to assassinating Taseer because of his support for the release of Asia Bibi, The News reports.

Asia Bibi, a Christian woman, has been sentenced to death by a lower court for violating Pakistan's laws against blaspheming Muhammad.

Taseer was hit in his chest and neck. He was rushed to the Poly Clinic, but succumbed to his injuries. (ANI)