FIA finds clue to `facilitator` of Benazir assassination

Published
0

Benazir Bhutto got into a car to leave, waving to supporters moments before being attacked. -File Photo
ISLAMABAD The Special Investigation Group of the FIA, which has been asked to fix criminal responsibility in the Benazir Bhutto assassination case, has conducted the DNA test of the suicide bomber and the result matched the blood samples taken from his shoes found by investigators from the residence of the 'facilitator'.

In addition to the DNA tests, the SIG team investigated the accused being tried in the Benazir Bhutto case in Adiala jail and questioned Saud Aziz, the then Rawalpindi City Police Officer, and DCO Irfan Elahi on Thursday.

Sources said the team conducted the DNA test to verify the presence of the suicide bomber at the residence of Hasnain Gul in Rawalpindi, who is being suspected as 'facilitator' in the case.

The investigators believe that the suicide bomber who blew himself up near Benazir Bhutto's bullet-proof vehicle outside Liaquat Bagh on Dec 27, 2007, had been staying at the residence of Hasnain Gul.

The team has also investigated the suspects being tried in the Benazir Bhutto case to complete the charge-sheet because they believe that delay in prosecution is giving benefit to the suspects.

Saud Aziz said that he had ordered hosing down of the crime scene by using his discretionary powers, denying that anybody had asked him to do so.

He said that police had collected important evidence and later washed only the place that was splattered with blood.

Mr Aziz denied that any important evidence was destroyed by police.

He presented the record of suicide bombings in Lahore, Peshawar and Rawalpindi in which less evidence had been collected from the crime scene compared with the Dec 27 bombing.

Opinion

Editorial

Parliament’s place
Updated 11 Oct, 2026

Parliament’s place

In 2015, the parliament had decided to “maintain neutrality in the Yemen conflict so as to be able to play a proactive diplomatic role to end the crisis”.
Disturbing the peace
11 Oct, 2026

Disturbing the peace

THIS year’s Nobel Peace Prize is well-earned. The winner, South African jurist Dr Navi Pillay, has had an...
A voice in care
10 Oct, 2026

A voice in care

WORLD Mental Health Day this year carries a compelling message. The theme, ‘Lived experiences heard: real voices,...
Midterm break
Updated 10 Oct, 2026

Midterm break

Both the US and Israel need to halt their destructive misadventures in the Middle East.
American barbarism
Updated 10 Oct, 2026

American barbarism

WITH the spectre of defeat in the upcoming midterm elections looming large over the Trump administration, the...