Pakistani minister, a Christian, assassinated
Albuquerque Express (IANS) Wednesday 2nd March, 2011
Pakistan's Federal Minister for Minorities Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian, was shot dead Wednesday as left his mother's house in the heart of Islamabad. It was the second high-profile assassination in less than two months over a controversial blasphemy law.
Bhatti, 42, was leaving for office after meeting his mother in the posh I-8 sector, when a white vehicle intercepted his official car.
Two -- some accounts said three -- men sprang out of the car and opened fire at the stunned minister, giving him no chance to escape.
The Pakistani media quoted a horrified witness as saying that the men moved close to the minister's car and fired first from the side and later from the front.
'Then they had a look at him to make sure that he will not survive and (escaped in their) car,' the witness said.
Inspector General of Police Wajid Durrani said Bhatti took 10 bullets in his head and chest that proved fatal. 'He died on the spot.'
A passerby who rushed to the bullet-riddled car and opened its door found Bhatti still breathing. He requested the driver to rush him to doctors.
Samaa TV added that although the driver was injured, he drove off to the nearby Shifa hospital. But the minister, from the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), died before receiving any medical aid.
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