The body count continues to rise from several explosions which occurred yesterday near Former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s motorcade. Bhutto is a political rival to Musharraf who was twice elected Prime Minister and ousted both times on corruption charges. She has been living in exile in Dubai for almost a decade, and arranged for her return back to Pakistan through negotiations with Musharraf. Defeating Islamic extremism is a common goal both Bhutto and Musharraf share. Pakistani officials say that this incident has the marking of an al-Qaeda bombing.

Two bombs exploded Thursday night near a truck carrying former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto on her triumphant return to Pakistan after eight years in exile, killing at least 126 and injuring more than more than 240, according to hospital officials. Party workers and police said Bhutto was unhurt.

An initial small explosion was followed by a huge blast just feet from the front of the truck carrying Bhutto during a procession through Karachi. The blast shattered windows in her vehicle and set a police escort vehicle on fire.

Those traveling atop the truck with Bhutto climbed down, with one man jumping off while others used a ladder. Bhutto’s lawyer, Sen. Babar Awan, said that the former premier was safe…

…Footage from the scene of the blasts showed bodies on the ground, lying motionless, plus a dozen or more injured who were moving. At least one vehicle was burning.

Bhutto flew home after eight years in exile to lead her Pakistan People’s Party in January parliamentary elections, drawing cheers from supporters massed in a sea of the party’s red, green and black flags. The police chief said 150,000 were in the streets, while other onlookers estimated twice that.

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