NC4 INCIDENT MONITORING CENTER FEATURED INCIDENT
Benazir Bhutto Assassination Attempt

October 18, 2007

On Wednesday, 17 October, NC4 issued a Public Safety Advisory warning to clients that the likelihood of a terrorist attack during Benazir Bhutto’s return to Karachi on 18 October had increased significantly due to threats from at least three separate terrorist organizations. Bhutto, the self-exiled former Prime Minster of Pakistan arrived at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on 18 October despite the threats. NC4 advised clients to stay away from large demonstrations due to the potential for violence.

Several alerts were sent out as Bhutto began her tour through the city. About 20,000 security personnel were deployed to secure her route and vehicle. Shortly after midnight, two explosions were heard with one of them believed to have been a suicide bomber. While Bhutto herself was not injured, at least 136 Pakistanis were killed and hundreds of others were wounded. NC4 reported this incident at 00:21 local time, just minutes after it occurred and 12 minutes before it was covered on CNN.

 

Selected Updates

NC4 Incident Monitoring Center issued the following alerts:

• Officials warn of assassination attempts ahead of former PM Bhutto’s return to Karachi on Thursday. 10/17/07 13:22 EDT
  

• No reports of violence as hundreds of thousands greet Benazir Bhutto upon her return to Pakistan. 10/18/07 10:36 EDT
  

• Two explosions reported close to Bhutto’s envoy during Karachi procession; injuries reported. 10/18/07 15:21 EDT
  
  

• Bhutto unhurt by twin bombings; at least 20 bodies reported by a witness. 10/18/07 15:40 EDT
  

• More than 45 people killed in bombings; at least one suspected as a suicide attack. 10/18/07 16:26 EDT
  
  
• Pakistani officials report that 136 people were killed as suspected suicide bomber targets Bhutto. 10/19/07 06:18 EDT
  

• US State Department indicates security tenuous in Karachi, disruptions expected during funerals. 10/19/2007 13:33 EDT
  

 

Additional Resources
NC4 provides ongoing updates to members as the incident unfolds through the NC4 Incident Monitoring Center (NIMC). NIMC analysts follow the incident using official government sources as well as national and local media sources -- linking to international news article, “Pakistan blasts kill 115 as Bhutto returns”, including images from the scene, eyewitness reports, and video of the explosion.

One-page printable summary with graphics

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