Reuters AlertNet Lite - Six Pakistani opposition activists killed

Reuters AlertNet Full site

NEWSDESK

Six Pakistani opposition activists killed

09 Feb 2007 11:31:51 GMT
Source: Reuters

ISLAMABAD, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Gunmen ambushed a van carrying activists of the opposition Pakistan People's Party (PPP) on Friday, killing six and wounding two, police and a party official said.

Police said the gunmen were from a rival party but did not say which one.

A general election is due in Pakistan late this year or early next and parties have already begun manoeuvring for support. Pakistani elections are traditionally plagued by violence between rival supporters.

A senior PPP official said the party was investigating the killing of its activists in Attock district, 90 km (55 miles) west of the capital, Islamabad.

"This is an election year and for that very reason we are seriously concerned that it is intended to warn our supporters against supporting our party," Farhatullah Babar said of the attack.

The PPP is led by former prime minister Benazir Bhutto who has lived in self-imposed exile since 1998.

Bhutto has said she will return for the election although President Pervez Musharraf has repeatedly vowed to keep her out of the polls. He accuses her of corruption during her time in office, which she denies.

AlertNet news is provided by

Email this article Send comments

Countries

Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Reset map

• Pakistan profile
· View map

MORE >>

NGO latest

• MUSLIM AID TO BUILD HOUSES IN PAKISTAN
Muslim Aid - UK

• QUAKE SURVIVORS STRUGGLE IN SUB-ZERO CONDITIONS
Muslim Aid - UK

• Assisting Survivors Through Winter and Toward Work: ACT member Continues Recovery Efforts After 2005 Quake
CWS

• Food, water, shelter and health for residents of Kashtera Camp
CWS

• Pakistan: helping quake survivors cope with a tough winter
IFRC - Switzerland

MORE >>

Latest news

• Six Pakistani opposition activists killed

• Three Indian soldiers killed in Kashmir attack

• Three Indian soldiers killed in Kashmir attack

• ANALYSIS-New U.S. emphasis on Afghan forces vital but risky

• Pressure grows on Mauritania to let migrants land

MORE >>

Last updated:Fri Feb 9 11:36:15 2007